The End of the Age, Part 2

Last Sunday, we began looking at Mark 13, and the end of the age.  The Olivet Discourse here and in Matthew 24-25 and Luke 21 are Jesus’ most comprehensive teaching on the end times.

 

After a comment about the temple’s beauty and grandeur, Jesus prophesied about its destruction, and it was destroyed just 40 years later in AD 70 by the Roman Army.  However, Jesus’ prophecy was not just about the destruction of the temple but also the end of the age. 

 

Then, the disciples who had been with Jesus the longest asked Him when the temple would be destroyed and what signs would indicate it was happening.  Jesus told them first about signs. 

 

1. Signs of a Broken World that will be Distorted
   1. False Messiahs, 13:6
   2. National Warfare, 13:7-8a
   3. Natural Disasters, 13:8b
   4. Christian Persecution, 13:9-11
   5. Family Division, 13:12-13

 

 

2. Signs of the End of the Age that will be Definite
   1. The Abomination of Desolation, 13:14
   2. The Great Tribulation, 13:15-23

 

 

3. Sign of the End of the Age that will be Ultimate

 

Verse 24 begins with “but” and is in contrast to the false messiahs of the Great Tribulation.  The true Messiah will come as there will be a cosmic announcement. 

 

All of Jesus’ language is a combination of apocalyptic language from major and minor OT prophets.  The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shine. 

 

Stars will fall, and powers in heaven will be shaken.  I believe these powers simply refer to forces of energy that hold everything in place.  God will allow them to be shaken.

 

In verse 26, those alive will see Jesus returning on chariots of clouds in all of His glory and power.  Along with Him will be His angels and His elect that have been gathered in anticipation of ruling and judging during Jesus’ earthly reign.

 

 

End of the Age Timeline

Now, I want to back track just a little and give you what I believe will be the big events of the end of the age.  Not all of these are mentioned here, but I believe all of these are biblical.

 

First, since coming of the Holy Spirit, we have been living in the church age.  This has been true for 2000 years. 

 

I believe the next big event will be the rapture of the church.  It will be sudden and without warning and could happen today.  That is the taking of all born-again Christians to be immediately with the Lord and for eternity. 

 

The next big event is the tribulation period.  I believe the book of Daniel describes it as two 3.5 year periods.  After the first will be the Abomination of Desolation.  Then the second happens.

 

At the end of the two 3.5 year periods, I believe Jesus will return as described in Mark 13:26.  His second coming will keep off His 1000 earthly reign.  After it, eternity will begin. 

 

 

The Parable of the Fig Tree, Mark 13:28-31

28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 

 

In this first parable of today’s text, we are to learn from the fig tree.  Even though many have tried to make this more complicated than necessary, this is actually a very easy parable to read, understand, and apply. 

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and fig trees were very common in the first century.  Jesus’ audience would have been familiar with fig trees and their growth patterns. 

 

When the branches put forth leaves, summer was near.  That is easy.  Fig trees bloomed as spring ended and summer began.  Their bloom was the sign that summer was near.

 

According to verse 29, these things will be a sign that Jesus’ coming is near.  What were “these things?”  The things that Jesus was speaking of began in verse 14. 

 

These were the events of the tribulation period and will include the abomination of desolation and the greatest persecution Christians have ever known.  There will also be signs and wonders and false messiahs.  These are all signs that the Second Coming is close…at the doors.

 

Therefore, this first parable teachers us that the end of the age will be scripted.  It is scripted by the hand of God and the words of Scripture.  It will follow a predetermined script, and in verse 31, Jesus said, you can count on this script or prediction or prophecy coming true. 

 

Before we go to the next parable, let’s look at verse 30 for a moment.  What generation is Jesus speaking about here?  He said that this generation would not pass away until all these things take place. 

 

I think this generation can have two meanings.  Remember that this entire conversation started about the temple.  I believe that Jesus was saying that this first generation would not pass until they saw the destruction of the temple.  That happened just 40 years, and Jesus was right.

 

At the same time, I that Jesus is also talking about the last generation, the generation that sees the beginning of the tribulation period.  Jesus is saying they will also see His second coming. 

 

The parable of the fig tree teaches us that the end of the age will be scripted.

 

 

The Parable of the Absent Homeowner, Mark 13:32-37

32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

 

Our second parable actually doesn’t being until verse 34.  However, let’s look at the verses leading up to the parable of the absent homeowner. 

 

In verse 32, we see that the only one who knows the exact timing of Christ’s return is the Father.  Does that speak ill of Jesus?  Not at all.  It simply lets us that know that Jesus chose purposefully to limit some of His divine omnipotence. 

 

Verse 34 then begins the parable of the absent homeowner.  A man left his home to go on a trip, and he left his servants in charge.  They were to do their work.

 

He also left a doorkeeper and told him to watch for the homeowner to return.  Don’t get caught sleeping or you will miss the homeowner’s return. 

 

As for its meaning, this parable doesn’t distinguish between the servants and doorkeeper.  Both were to be prepared for the homeowner’s sudden return.  Obviously, Jesus is the absent homeowner. 

 

If the parable of the fig tree teaches us that the end times will be scripted, the parable of the absent homeowner tells us that the return of Christ will be sudden.  When He comes, your time to prepare will be over.

 

One more truth is implied but not explicit in this second parable.  The judgement of God will be severe.  Don’t get caught sleeping when Jesus returns. 

 

 

Conclusion

So what do we do?  The end of the age will be scripted.  The return of Christ will be sudden.  The judgment of God will be severe.

 

We are to watch or be ready and pray.  Just like last week, on three occasions, Jesus said to watch: 13:33, 35, 37. 

 

We are to watch and be ready in our relationship with God and our relationship with others, and we are to pray.  Pray for the Lord Jesus to come quickly, and pray for those who are lost to recognize their lostness and Jesus as their only hope. 

 

Watch and pray!