Mark: The Day and Hour Unknown

Read: Mark 13:28-37

There will be signs, evidence that is hard to miss, but we don’t know when — no one knows when the day will come. Keep watch, but don’t let this paralyze you!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Mark 13:31

If Jesus’s words will outlast the world, it seems pretty important to listen well. The Bible is the starting point, but it’s not all Jesus has to say and certainly not all that Jesus said. His words come in many forms, in nature, in whispers, in screams. All around us we see signs and wonders, if we look. When we look, I would suggest we should be in awe, we should be amazed, we should be stirred to action for there is much work to do.

When?

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mark 13:32

Fox News provided this headline: “Biblical prophecy claims the world will end on Sept. 23, Christian numerologists claim” — seriously. The idea that anyone would publish such an article, full of disclaimers and non-support, should be a sign in and of itself. People want to know when. Sadly, there are those that actually listen to such claims.

We don’t know when, but we do know Jesus, so let us go about building relationships, making disciples that make disciples. When we are part of a healthy growing community of believers, such fanatical claims will cause us to pray for those caught up in their fantasy worlds.

Watch

If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:36-37

Jesus tells everyone to be on the lookout, to watch. Instead of paralysis, this is our call to action, to be on the offense, not build walls and layers of protection. If we read through the prophecies in detail, it’s pretty obvious that there is nothing we can do to stop the end of time, much less cause a delay.

Lord help us to heed your words and cause us to act as a result.