Category: Uncategorized

Mark 13:28
   Jesus was always teaching. He used things in the environment around him to illustrate Scriptural truths. The disciples were familiar with the fig tree and how it grew and bore fruit. He didn’t have to go into any long explanations on that. He simply stated the fact as they were. They could generally tell what time of year it was on the basis of the stages of the tree’s growth.

Heavenly Father, you have given us your truth right where we can get to it. It is accessible. Thank you! Your many blessings fill our lives with joy and peace in spite of difficulties. Your great power is a comfort to us, for we know you hold tomorrow. I will praise you forever for your loving kindness, and for your truth. I the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:27
   The Lord will come for his own during that time yet future. So many things will happen then, but the rapture of the church, and the Second Coming of Christ will be the defining events.
   Some may try to criticise the language here. The reference to ‘four winds’ seems to fit with a ‘flat earth’ cosmology. But, this is just stylistic language. He is emphasizing the grandeur of this event by using beautiful language. We still do this now, even in our ‘scientifically correct’ day. Every place under heaven will be reached by these events. There will be no exceptions. The second coming will be very public. The rapture could only be hidden if there are few Christians around by the time it takes place.

Heavenly Father, you deserve the praise! How can we fathom the great things that you have planned? When we think of your works, and the depths of your love and mercy, we are speechless. Never will I ever be able to stop singing your praises. I want to bring honor to your name forever and ever! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Taking a break from posting this week during VBS.

Mark 13:26
   The ‘in those days’ phrase in verse 24 tells us a lot. All of these events, marked by an ‘and then’ will occur during the end times. So, the appearing of the Lord in the clouds, and his power and great glory being revealed, will occur during that time.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your answers. You give us your truth, and it blesses our lives. Your care for us is so amazing! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:25
   This verse is one of those that people will point to when they are trying to discount the Bible. Obviously, the stars can’t fall to the earth. If even one of the smallest of stars were to fall to the earth, falling wouldn’t be the right term. It would be a collision, and the earth would be completely destroyed. So, what does this mean?
   First of all, the verse does not say where these stars will fall to. So, this particular passage could refer to a phenomenon in outer space in the future that would cause stars to ‘fall’ towards other things. If black holes, gas clouds, big stars, etc were to start attracting stars, this would fit.
   However, we do have other places in Scripture (in Revelation) where it is said that the stars will fall to the earth. Well, we must keep in mind two things. First, our knowledge of the universe is limited. This falling of the stars to earth may make a lot more sense to us at some point. For example, the Bible mentions the circle of the earth and the courses of the seas, but we didn’t understand those things until after the first millennia. Secondly, and more significantly, the knowledge of the stars was much more limited in the time of Christ. One might think, why would that matter? As with these other things, couldn’t the Lord tell them what they didn’t even understand? Yes. But, if they didn’t understand, he may allow them to word it as they pleased. For example, if a modern individual were writing Revelation, likely some of the wording would be different. As a result, it is very possible that meteors, or something of that nature is in view. Revelation’s Wormwood judgment supports this idea. Also, as far as wording goes, we see in Jude that planets were referred to as ‘wandering stars’, which was due to the fact that planets move around in relation to the earth but stars appear fixed.

Heavenly Father, I am glad to know that your Word can be accepted and believed as reliable. I don’t have to accept absurdities to believe it. Though it flies against so-called conventional wisdom, it doesn’t transgress common sense. I know many are sad because they cannot find reason to believe it wholeheartedly. Many are mad because they refuse to accept just judgment. I am glad because it assures me of an eternal relationship with You, Almighty God, the most important Person there is. And, because of this relationship, I have a relationship with so many others who have accepted the truth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:24
   The references to time here are absolutely crucial. In those days moves on to answering the second part of the disciples question. In those days, after that tribulation, moves on to describe the Great Tribulation which we can find more about in Revelation. Judgments I evolving the darkening of the sun and the moon will be serious business because this indicates the end of this age, and of this present world.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings! Sometimes we can get so busy that we don’t even notice them. Its funny because your goodness is all around us. We would not have breath without your mercy. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:23
   We generally fail to recognize it, but Jesus is The Prophet. We think often of his role as priest and king, but forget this truth. He has told us more about the future than any other, and he is the Author of all other prophecy. He gave the other prophets the words to say. The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of Prophecy.
   This verse fits with a theme we find throughout the New Testament. Take heed, watch, be aware. We cannot sit back in this age of grace and assume we know everything. We need to be wise, wary, and alert.

Heavenly Father, this world doesn’t understand you. But, if we do not rely on you, we can fail to understand you too. May we always give you precedence over all else and try to understand your influence in everything. We must be prolific, but reflective. We must imagine, but think on You. We must constructive and compassionate. We must be like Christ! He is the model, but he is the Savior. He not only shows us how we should be, but makes us able to be that way. Thank you Father! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:22
   There will be those who simply claim to be prophets, whereas others will claim to be Messiahs. And, in these cases we must know that signs and wonders will not indicate anything. This is quite interesting in that all prophetic activity must now fall in line with Christ and his cause. The future has been told to such an extent that a pretender is hard pressed to stay in the mold. So, it is really easier to tell the impostors in this age because of the identity of Jesus. Because we know the True Messiah, it is easier to discern a false one. However, in spite of this, we are told here that many will be taken in by these pretenders.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Christ! He makes it all different. He is the test of fellowship, and he is the measure of truth. It is reassuring to be able to line up behind his standard. We don’t have to live in darkness, never knowing who may be true. Though we are not able to judge everything, we can at least know the Spirit and the form of the church. Christ keeps us on the straight and narrow. When we misunderstand him, then we stray from the way. All the praise goes to you for your wonderful plan dear Father! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:21
   Any time that there is great trouble there is a chance for false Messiahs to crop up. They prey on the needs of others, offering an empty hope to those who are suffering. Jesus warns us ahead of time that he will not appear in this way, so we need not be deceived.

Heavenly Father, thank you for telling us so much. Though there is a lot we still wonder about, you have given us all that we need. You are so wise! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:20
   If the Elect are those who the Lord has chosen, why would he need to shorten the time? Would they not go to heaven in any case? No, not necessarily. Again, we must remember this is prophecy. The Lord is speaking of a future time. So, it is for the sake of those who shall be the Elect that the days are shortened. At several points in the history of Israel the nation has neared extinction. But, it is spared from that for the sake of those who will be saved. During the time of the end the judgments will be such that if they continued for too long a time, all humanity would perish. But that will not happen for the sake of those who will belong to the Lord among them.

Heavenly Father, thank you for shortening your judgement for the sake of your beloved. You care for us and watch over us. Your power is great and we pray for those who will be recipients of your wrath. We pray for others, that they may escape that fate. I praise you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.