His Word Stands Forever - Mark 13:24-31
The Olivet Discourse is a teaching on Jesus's return. Mankind tends to try and come up with theories that conclude what Jesus meant in terms of timing. American teachers tend to take sides rather enthusiastically, as if they're very certain of their view.
Jesus Himself says no one knows the day or the hour! Lots of pastors and leaders have died on the hill of the date they set for Jesus's return. We should tread lightly in regard to any predictions like this.
Don't set dates... just be ready!
v24-25: this could be right after the fall of Jerusalem, or the end of all things. The Bible was written in genres: the Law, history, poetry, the Gospels, Apocalyptic literature... Jesus is speaking in apocalyptic language; He's describing rulers and authorities being replaced.
God designed Jerusalem to be where God and man meet. But the temple became a den of robbers! So the leaders of the temple needed to be replaced.
Every image Jesus uses here draws from the Old Testament, depicting the fall of a religious order. The Father will rip the temple veil in half.
v26: Daniel 7 describes Jesus coming to the Father, as in Revelation 5, "Who is worthy to take the scroll?" Jesus is the only one worthy. Jesus's dominion is never-ending! His Kingdom shall not be destroyed. This passage describes Jesus ascending into Heaven.
When Jesus returns, the nations will see the King of the universe coming in the clouds, with great power! He will liberate His people, and crush the wicked. Do not be found asleep; stay awake!
v27: When He returns, He'll gather His people from everywhere, Jews and Gentiles, to Himself!
Some big churches will do an "At the Movies" series, claiming they're doing the same as Jesus did, using pictures (parables)... but parables weren't meant to make concepts more accessible to the masses! He used them to obscure truths to the unregenerate and the immature. If you don't understand a parable, don't fret; sit with it for a while and ask God to show you what it means.
Parable of the fIg tree... like the one that didn't produce fruit, the temple had the appearance of fruit, but it was fruitless. Learn its lesson: when the leaves are budding, the time is at hand. When the temple did fall, there was not a single Christian in Jerusalem; they'd heeded Jesus' warning.
v31: His words will never pass away!
That's today's text.
The big picture... 2 thoughts:
1. whether you believe Jesus will return before or after the Great Tribulation, you must acknowledge that the Church has been through great tribulation already, and will again: Nazi invasion of Poland, Communism in Russia... Jesus could come back whenever He wants.
Why does He wait? Life will be difficult for the believer. Peter asks this question. Scoffers make fun of him and the early Church...
Peter says in 2 Peter 3:9... God is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you! His timing is very different from our timing. He allows trials and makes us wait because every day, people are being saved! We should want his perfect timing! Suffering produces endurance , which produces character. The longer He waits, the more we grow to be like His Son!
In 2 Peter 3:10-14... upon His return, let Him not find you living in sin! Just be prepared. Will we be found ready? Will we be at peace, or falling for alarmism?
He is patient for the sake of His Church.
2. (in v31:) His Word will never pass away! All through the Old Testament, God had to meet with man at a distance. But Jesus is making all things new! All the old things had to come crashing down, but His Word will never pass away.
Jesus warned and pleaded, and they didn't listen, and eventually murdered Him. Then the Romans came, and the temple came down.
But all was not lost! Jesus came to give us something even better: Himself, and his Word. That will never come down. Whatever happens, all you have to do is go to the Book, and read what is.
There's no sin you can't overcome, if the Word of the Lord says you can. And that Word will never expire, never pass away!