Review from last week - Jesus four characteristics of the end times: 1. There will be a great deception. 2. There will be an intense persecution and suffering for the saints. 3. Jerusalem s destruction is a sure sign of the world s eventual destruction. 4. The child of God will experience God s great mercy during this time.
Mark 13:24-37 24 But in those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 26 At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!
Eyes and Hands Wide Open
Two unassailable truths regarding the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. When Jesus Christ comes back for his bride it will be unmistakable.
26 At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Revelation 1:7-8 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
2. All genuine Christ followers can know the season of when his return is near.
29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Luke 17:26-30 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
When When? is the wrong question to be asking The better question is: How will I be preparing for the return of Jesus Christ?
Jesus said Watch out v:5 Do not be alarmed v:7 You must be on your guard v:9 Do not worry v:11 So be on your guard v:23 Be on guard! Be alert! v:33 Keep watch v:35 Do not let him find you sleeping. -v:36 Watch! v:37