THE SON OF MAN IS COMING
Mark 13:24-37
Key Verses: 13:26-27
“At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 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.”
This week we consider the rest of Jesus’s lesson about future times and events. Previously he described distressful situations like the Jerusalem Temple’s destruction, his followers suffering intensive persecutions, even executions among their own people. He told them of days of distress unequaled from the beginning when God created the world, but he also shared hopeful visions, saying the distressful days would be cut short for the sake of God’s elect, and that the gospel would be preached to all nations. It seems logical to compare those scenes to the destruction of Jerusalem by a Roman army, since that is when the stones of the temple were scattered. And since then, the gospel has been spreading to all the nations with repeated persecutions and horrors that Jesus mentioned alongside like wars and all manner of disasters. Let’s see what Jesus talked about next in verse 24 and 25.
Let’s see what Jesus talked about next in verse 24 and 25. 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.’ Here Jesus described some days after the distressful incidents. Theologically speaking, the meaning of “those days” in verse 24 has been debated ever since the gospel has been shared. The majority feel it is indicating the very end of time as we know it, when all the children of God have heard the gospel and turned back to him, repenting to find forgiveness thanks to Jesus. It’s thought of like that because Matthew shared other questions the disciples asked that started this discussion. Mark’s includes the question about the temple, but also includes some of the discussion about the end of the age in this passage, but the question is in Matthew’s account. When thinking theologically, these small details often lead to interesting discussions, sometimes heated arguments, and occasionally false prophecies about the timing of events Jesus talked about.
From a practical perspective, considering the days after the distress is easier to think of as something in the future. Jesus described a very hard to imagine scenario in verse 25. “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Since the sun is observably still shining and stars are still visible, it seems a reasonable indication that what Jesus described has yet to happen, as if he describes a future event that Christians should expect.
It’s hard to understand how the sun and stars might stop shining, even fall from the sky. There are some representations on the slide of our sun among our planets on the left. Then our solar system among the nearby stars in our galaxy. And on the right side our solar system is estimated in the Milky Way, with some tiny dots representing other galaxies far, far away as they supposedly appeared, long, long ago. Those are a lot of other stars around us in the universe that we can see. Today’s astronomers guess the low-end number of stars in the universe to be that long number we don’t see too often: “200,000,000,000,000,000,000,0
Verse 26 describes the next act. 26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” This is known as Jesus’ second coming. It seems like the moment our three dimensional universe starts to fall apart, so that human eyes can see into other dimensions where God and Christ exist today. Who is alive at the moment will view the power and great glory of eternity and fabric of the everlasting dimensions surrounding Christ the King of all Kings. Cartoons and paintings can help us imagine the scene, but there is no way to really understand what it will be like.
Jesus mentioned himself coming on the clouds of heaven one other time in the gospel during his trial. It pushed the high priest over the edge and he declared Jesus a blasphemer, and all in the room condemned him as worthy of death. It’s possible they understood Jesus’ statement as indicating he is the one Daniel saw in a vision who “was given authority, glory and sovereign power and an everlasting kingdom that will not pass away.” The leaders were horrified at thinking they should be subjects of a country carpenter, while they were elite, educated, well connected influencers whom God established to run the show. Horrifically, the leaders missed the chance to share Jesus’ kingdom, and took their stand on Satan’s side against God.
In verse 27, Jesus foretells the reason for his dramatic return. It says, “… 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.” This is an exceedingly amazing vision of people all over the earth at the time of the end and every soul or angel in the heavens that is on God’s side being assembled together with Jesus. It is as difficult to imagine as the sun turning off. It is not a handshaking line like meeting the president on the way to a large event. It seems instantaneous, all over the universe. Matthew wrote of Jesus saying that it would be something like the days of Noah, where people were going about their lives, and suddenly rain came and took them all away. He said, two will be working in a field or grinding at a mill, then one will be taken and another left behind. Apostle Paul shared his own prayer for those alive when this scene occurs in his letter to Thessalonia. He based his hope on Jesus’ lesson, telling Christians that those who are alive when Jesus comes again will be caught up to meet him in the air. In all the gospels and other mentions of this scene, the emphasis seems to be on a sudden end. The elect, those who were serving as Jesus’ witnesses on earth at the time, are gathered up to be with him forever. This is more amazing than all the other things we cannot understand in this passage. If God made the sun, he should be able to turn it off if he wants, but how is it possible that the holy son of God is willing to share his eternal kingdom with crooked sinners like us? He even provides them righteousness that makes them holy in the sight of God so they may serve and survive in his presence. It is a wonderful, amazing grace for us.
Next in verse 28&29, Jesus shared a lesson from the fig tree. Earlier he cursed a tree that had no figs to teach his disciples about prayer with faith. Now he told them “…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.” It is a very natural reality and such a simple lesson that the disciples easily over think it. They saw the obvious sign that summer was near for many years. But he knows they quickly forget everything he told them in the past. Now as they go about their lives day to day, they might see the fig trees and remember Jesus’ lessons about persecution, preaching the good news and even recall his lesson about the sun going dark in the future. He said, “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.” He wants them to see the reminder along the roadsides everyday and keep in mind the things he just told them so they may realize his prophetic words coming to pass in this life.
One thing Jesus says next, in verse 30, is the reason for the long lasting debate about the timeline of the events he described so far. It says, “30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” The discussion puzzles over how to understand “this generation”. These days Americans have become very sensitive about their generation. Generation “Z” are mostly in the news although we still hear about the greatest generation or the millennials now and then. Do you remember how Jesus referred to his generation? Maybe we would call them Gen ASU in English. They were the “Adulterous and Sinful” generation in Mark 8 and the “Unbelieving” generation in Mark 9. So the enduring question is whether the people he was speaking to personally would experience all the things he described in their genealogical generation or if he was speaking metaphorically. Or is he speaking broadly about the never ending evil, adulterous, sign seeking mentality or specifically about the set of individuals alive at the time? Even some of Jesus’ disciples got the idea that some among the apostles would not die, but perhaps become immortal to serve Jesus in this world right up to the end of the age. It is one way the generation could remain to the end. There are several other ways of trying to understand his promise and they are fun to research and think about if you have some spare time and an open mind. But the next thing he said is easy to believe and there is no debate about it among Jesus’ followers.
Let’s read verse 31 together, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Amen. Jesus was supremely confident of his own words. He is known from John’s gospel as the word that was in the beginning. The word that became flesh and dwelt among us. “AS” the word, all things were created by him and through him and for him. “AT” his word, all that we can experience in this universe may cease to exist. Jesus’ word is powerful, unstoppable & altogether true and good! When asked if he would run away, Apostle Peter said to Jesus, “you have the words of eternal life, why should we go away?” Even astronomers would have to agree that eternal life must last longer than the universe simply because eternity means forever. Peter understood the value, power and divine influence of Jesus’ words and put his trust in them. We can trust Jesus’ words, even if we don’t understand to the point of theologically debating. If we trust Jesus’ words, there is hope to survive beyond the end of time. Hallelujah. Thank God for Jesus’ words of eternal life. Thank Jesus for his promise to come in power, with great glory to gather his elect and bring all his people to the kingdom that never ends.
In the last part of the lesson, Jesus emphasizes that his coming will be a surprise to the majority and he challenges his followers to be on their toes. Let’s read verse 32&33. “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.” Isn’t it perplexing that Jesus would share such harrowing prophetic scenes, then admit that only his heavenly Father knows when they will ultimately come to pass? In John’s gospel Jesus shared a similar thought as he talked to some critics about their plotting to kill him. He said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” We might theologically complain that Jesus should have told us how many centuries or millenia or eons humanity should wait for his kingdom to come, but even Jesus did not complain about not knowing all the details at this time. He accepted his Father’s instructions, shared his father’s heart and accomplished his fathers will, offering his life as a ransom for many.
Sadly, even with Jesus’ own example of leaving the future up to God’s plan, I noticed many false prophets in my generation repeatedly trying to figure out the day Jesus would return. Several prominent failures compared the Jewish people declaring themselves the nation Israel in 1948 to the fig tree Jesus mentioned. They decided Israel sprouted so the generation alive since then should see Jesus return. First 40 years later in 1988, then again in 1994, again in 2011. It seems like a book selling business, but Jesus told us to watch out because of those things.
God knows human thinking very well, so he does not let us know all the details, because he wants everyone to be on their best behavior all the time. Jesus’ word will never pass away. Let’s read what he said again in verse 32&33 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.”
To emphasize the fact, Jesus told another example and admonition in verse 34-37. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his 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!’
Today, Jesus tells his disciples about some things to expect and situations to endure, during the time he is away in heaven. He gave them the simple reminder of a fig tree to help them remember his promises. He even promised to come again on the clouds with power and great glory to gather his elect from every corner of the universe. Every generation of believers has to hear Jesus’ words and keep them in mind. Hearing his word is a unique and precious treasure, just like being united with God thanks to salvation by faith in Christ. Even Jesus did not worry about the final, ultimate end of the universe, he just trusted God will work it all out in his time. We can share his awe and insight in the same mindset. Let us not become scoffers or apathetic if Jesus does not come soon. Let’s patiently do our part to preach the gospel to all nations, trusting our heavenly father’s plan. Anytime we see a blossoming tree, or the sun shining in the sky, let’s remember Jesus’ words, knowing even the sun will go away, but Christ will share his kingdom with his people forever. Let’s read the key verses one more time and pray. “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 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.”