Mark 13:14-31

Many volumes have been written about the second coming of Christ, a great many of which should have been left unwritten. In this passage Jesus does not give a future map of time to satisfy our idle curiosity. But rather set epic moments against practical questions for the moral life of a disciple and how they ought to live.

During the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman army in AD 70 the Legion’s standards, which happened to be eagles, were seen as the “idols that profane” another way to translate “the abomination of desolation”. This attack was unparalleled in violence and destruction.  The hate-filled energy of the Roman Legion, made of Edomites and the Gauls, seemed to be unrestricted. Note in verse 20 that the Lord is compassionate even in the punishment. At this point “the elect” refers not the Jewry but to the church. In His compassion for the church others enjoy collateral mercy. We often hear about collateral damage, but consider the value of the church as an occasion of collateral mercy. Be faithful to the Lord, He is merciful.

In times of deepening crisis false teachers will arise. They have as their objective the deception of the elect, the church. Note that the deception of the demonic is not primarily targeted at those outside of the church.  Be faithful to the Lord, He is true.

Between the fall of Jerusalem and the end there will be moments when it would seem like the universe itself was becoming unhinged. The astronomical bodies that seem so solid will feel like they are about to come apart. Not to worry, the Son of Man will come in his glory. During the times when it seems like the universe is coming unglued be faithful to the Lord, He is coming soon.

There is a constant vagary about the Lord's coming. The parable of the fig tree could be the interpretation of almost any moment. The early Church lived in the context and hope that the Lord was returning at any moment, which was no small part of the reason for their effectiveness and evangelism. The Lord's delay may confuse us, but it doesn't confuse the Lord. Be faithful to the Lord He will return, but not when expected.

Apocalyptic teaching is never about setting dates or marking calendars. It is only and always about a call to live holy and it is always about being faithful to the Lord.