Be On Guard! - Mark 13:31-37
Be On Guard! - Mark 13:31-37
By Pastor Lee Hemen
January 30, 2011 AM
Before becoming a Christian I studied various other religions, from the esoteric to mainline faith practices. Each one left something to be desired. Hinduism was too foreign and based mainly on mythology and magic. Islam and Mormonism sounded the same, were hard-lined, strict, and full of inconsistencies. Buddhism and the new age were just revamped versions of self-help methodologies. And Scientology, like est (Erhard Seminars Training), or Eckankar were just plain weird. Then I was challenged to read the Bible and I could not believe what I had missed. I learned Jesus shared with his disciples, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 NIV) I came to realize that I had almost lowered my guard and allowed myself to be influenced by false teaching. We would do well to be on guard.
In this section of Mark’s gospel we find Jesus finishing up his answer to the disciples. He ends it by telling them to be on guard. In doing so, Jesus reminds them of several things that can help strengthen us as well. Let’s find out what Jesus teaches about us to be on guard…
READ: Mark 13:31-37
Whenever I buy something I usually check on its warranty and the reason is simple: Few things last in this world. It can be expensive to fix or replace most things we buy. We have to constantly guard ourselves against the false claims of charlatans. It is therefore wonderful to learn that…
I. Jesus’ words remain no matter what occurs! (v. 31)
1. The only permanent truth is God’s Word! If you notice that Jesus began this section by telling his disciples, “I tell you the truth.” (v. 30) He wanted his followers to rest assured in the fact that he understood their fear of what was going to happen. Their whole world would change. Jerusalem would be reduced to rubble and Israel itself would disappear as a nation. Many of the population would be killed, taken into slavery, or dispersed throughout the Roman world. Some would be sent as far as Britannia, Germania, and Gallia or France. The Roman dispersion of the Jews was far greater in extent than even the ones caused in the past by the Babylonians or Assyrians. The Bible reminds us that, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV) What God says he will do, he does. In fact, Isaiah tells us in succinct terms that while everything else fails, decays, or falls apart – God’s word remains: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 NIV) In fact, while humans can be very fickle in their faith, God is not especially concerning his word! Paul refers to God's faithfulness when he asks, “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? (Romans 3:3 NIV) Of course the answer is, “No!” God’s faithfulness is established in himself just as his word is as well! While Jerusalem would fall and Israel be taken off into captivity, Jesus reminds his followers of the truth of God in the everlasting permanence of his words: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” The Messiah had come and had taught them everything they needed to know. It was a truth they could bank on and be secure in no matter what else happened. When Jesus spoke, it was the truth and his words remain no matter what occurs!
EXAMPLE: What do the monuments of the Egyptian pyramids, Peruvian Machu Picchu, or Cambodia’s Angkor Wat have in common? They are all magnificent man made ruins! When we see these vast temples, structures, or monuments we are reminded that the things of man do not last. In fact, even the things of nature do not last. I find it fascinating that so many people get excited about nature, thinking that it should remain static. It does not nor should it. It would not be natural if it did. Things change, either by decay, age, natural or man made causes. Nothing remains the same, only Jesus’ words remain no matter what occurs!
There are literally hundreds of books, dozens of TV shows and movies all trying to depict when Jesus will return. “A Thief in the Night,” was one of the very first poorly made films and now we have the cheesy Left Behind movies or The Omega Code and Vanished, which was dubbed “the worst end time movie ever.” Then there is the parade of TBN preachers, History Channel specials, or Seventh Day Adventist Revelation seminars. You could watch, discuss, or do your own biblical charts and the fact remains that…
II. No one knows when Jesus will return! (Vv. 32-33)
1. Each day brings us one day closer! Jesus knew that mankind is curious and as soon as he departed this earth and ascended to the throne room of heaven, people would begin to speculate concerning his promised return. And sure enough, they did and they still do. We find that with a few short weeks following Jesus' resurrection, while he is ministering to his disciples “over a period of forty days” he “spoke about the kingdom of God,” incredulously they ask him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus bluntly answers them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:6-7) Later on, during his ministry, Paul faced false teachers trying to teach that Jesus had already returned and he rebukes them by writing, “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 NIV) Just as a thief does not announce when he is going to rob you, God is not going to give us a date of Jesus’ return either. Paul did not want them to be “ignorant” about Jesus ultimate return and their own resurrection. This is why Jesus warned his disciples that day by telling them, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” We are not to speculate concerning the day of Jesus’ return, because we simply do not know when it will happen. Plus, it leads to unnecessary involvement in that which is unimportant. We need only to live daily for Christ and wait expectantly for his return. Jesus dramatically warned them, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37-39 NIV) No one knows when Jesus will return!
EXAMPLE: I mean seriously, knowing the sinful condition of humanity what would a lot of folks do if they knew the exact day and hour of Jesus’ return? They would live like “huckleberries” and then perhaps decide right before his return to make a pronouncement of faith. Certainly it would do them no good, but they would make this world a living hell until it happened. You know what I mean. Many people would become even more hedonistic than they already are, more vengeful, and despicable. For crying out loud, look at what occurred in New Orleans when Katrina hit! There was looting, rape, and robbery. During riots and even recent earthquakes there are those dregs of society that use any excuse to pillage their fellow man. God in his wisdom does not want us to know and frankly, I am glad no one knows when Jesus will return.
While I may disagree with those who claim they know the day and hour of Jesus’ return, I do agree that more Christians need to be made aware of the fact that it could be at any time. Too few believers even concern themselves with the fact that Jesus is going to return and when he does, the final judgment will occur. And that mere truth should cause us all great pause because there will be those who will not want nor desire what occurs afterwards. This is why Jesus says…
III. His followers are to keep watch! (Vv. 34-37)
1. A watchman stays awake! Jesus had taught his disciples to “be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” He goes on to state, “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:38-40 NIV) In fact, so quickly would it happen it would be like when “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” The terminology is literally they would be “snatched up” as if taken by an invader! They were therefore reminded to “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:40-42 NIV) Jesus related to them something they understood. He tells them, “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.” Being the watchman would have been a high honor because it involved trust. Jesus entrusted his followers to “keep watch” as well “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.” And, “If he comes suddenly,” you certainly did not want him to “find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:34-36 NIV) Too many Christians are asleep. They seek for the stupor of self-induced worship, and are not ready for their Master’s return. I am again reminded that when Jesus returns it is not going to be all flowers and kittens. Isaiah cries out, “See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.” (Isaiah 13:9 NIV) and Zephaniah laments, “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.” (Zephaniah 2:3 NIV) This is why Jesus warns them, “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Therefore, I believe we want to be very careful when we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!” because as his disciples we are entrusted with keeping watch and some of us have fallen asleep. We are reminded that his followers are to keep watch!
EXAMPLE: There is an old story that teaches that the Great Wall of China was only breached after one watchman was bribed by the Mongolian hordes. No one knows for sure if this is true or not, but it makes sense. Like the old adage that states, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” so is any fortress as strong as the watchmen who guard its gates. Even today, if you are found sleeping on guard duty in the military it is considered dereliction of duty. You can suffer a court-martial or even death for falling asleep at your post. Can you imagine then what it will be like when Jesus returns and he discovers so many of his followers asleep spiritually? We are warned over and over to keep watch.
Conclusion:
Today in Mark we learned three things about how to be on guard: 1) Jesus’ words remain no matter what occurs, 2) No one knows when Jesus will return, and 3) His followers are to keep watch! Now, which one do you need to work on?
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2011 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
January 30, 2011 AM
Before becoming a Christian I studied various other religions, from the esoteric to mainline faith practices. Each one left something to be desired. Hinduism was too foreign and based mainly on mythology and magic. Islam and Mormonism sounded the same, were hard-lined, strict, and full of inconsistencies. Buddhism and the new age were just revamped versions of self-help methodologies. And Scientology, like est (Erhard Seminars Training), or Eckankar were just plain weird. Then I was challenged to read the Bible and I could not believe what I had missed. I learned Jesus shared with his disciples, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 NIV) I came to realize that I had almost lowered my guard and allowed myself to be influenced by false teaching. We would do well to be on guard.
In this section of Mark’s gospel we find Jesus finishing up his answer to the disciples. He ends it by telling them to be on guard. In doing so, Jesus reminds them of several things that can help strengthen us as well. Let’s find out what Jesus teaches about us to be on guard…
READ: Mark 13:31-37
Whenever I buy something I usually check on its warranty and the reason is simple: Few things last in this world. It can be expensive to fix or replace most things we buy. We have to constantly guard ourselves against the false claims of charlatans. It is therefore wonderful to learn that…
I. Jesus’ words remain no matter what occurs! (v. 31)
1. The only permanent truth is God’s Word! If you notice that Jesus began this section by telling his disciples, “I tell you the truth.” (v. 30) He wanted his followers to rest assured in the fact that he understood their fear of what was going to happen. Their whole world would change. Jerusalem would be reduced to rubble and Israel itself would disappear as a nation. Many of the population would be killed, taken into slavery, or dispersed throughout the Roman world. Some would be sent as far as Britannia, Germania, and Gallia or France. The Roman dispersion of the Jews was far greater in extent than even the ones caused in the past by the Babylonians or Assyrians. The Bible reminds us that, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV) What God says he will do, he does. In fact, Isaiah tells us in succinct terms that while everything else fails, decays, or falls apart – God’s word remains: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 NIV) In fact, while humans can be very fickle in their faith, God is not especially concerning his word! Paul refers to God's faithfulness when he asks, “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? (Romans 3:3 NIV) Of course the answer is, “No!” God’s faithfulness is established in himself just as his word is as well! While Jerusalem would fall and Israel be taken off into captivity, Jesus reminds his followers of the truth of God in the everlasting permanence of his words: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” The Messiah had come and had taught them everything they needed to know. It was a truth they could bank on and be secure in no matter what else happened. When Jesus spoke, it was the truth and his words remain no matter what occurs!
EXAMPLE: What do the monuments of the Egyptian pyramids, Peruvian Machu Picchu, or Cambodia’s Angkor Wat have in common? They are all magnificent man made ruins! When we see these vast temples, structures, or monuments we are reminded that the things of man do not last. In fact, even the things of nature do not last. I find it fascinating that so many people get excited about nature, thinking that it should remain static. It does not nor should it. It would not be natural if it did. Things change, either by decay, age, natural or man made causes. Nothing remains the same, only Jesus’ words remain no matter what occurs!
There are literally hundreds of books, dozens of TV shows and movies all trying to depict when Jesus will return. “A Thief in the Night,” was one of the very first poorly made films and now we have the cheesy Left Behind movies or The Omega Code and Vanished, which was dubbed “the worst end time movie ever.” Then there is the parade of TBN preachers, History Channel specials, or Seventh Day Adventist Revelation seminars. You could watch, discuss, or do your own biblical charts and the fact remains that…
II. No one knows when Jesus will return! (Vv. 32-33)
1. Each day brings us one day closer! Jesus knew that mankind is curious and as soon as he departed this earth and ascended to the throne room of heaven, people would begin to speculate concerning his promised return. And sure enough, they did and they still do. We find that with a few short weeks following Jesus' resurrection, while he is ministering to his disciples “over a period of forty days” he “spoke about the kingdom of God,” incredulously they ask him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus bluntly answers them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:6-7) Later on, during his ministry, Paul faced false teachers trying to teach that Jesus had already returned and he rebukes them by writing, “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 NIV) Just as a thief does not announce when he is going to rob you, God is not going to give us a date of Jesus’ return either. Paul did not want them to be “ignorant” about Jesus ultimate return and their own resurrection. This is why Jesus warned his disciples that day by telling them, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” We are not to speculate concerning the day of Jesus’ return, because we simply do not know when it will happen. Plus, it leads to unnecessary involvement in that which is unimportant. We need only to live daily for Christ and wait expectantly for his return. Jesus dramatically warned them, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37-39 NIV) No one knows when Jesus will return!
EXAMPLE: I mean seriously, knowing the sinful condition of humanity what would a lot of folks do if they knew the exact day and hour of Jesus’ return? They would live like “huckleberries” and then perhaps decide right before his return to make a pronouncement of faith. Certainly it would do them no good, but they would make this world a living hell until it happened. You know what I mean. Many people would become even more hedonistic than they already are, more vengeful, and despicable. For crying out loud, look at what occurred in New Orleans when Katrina hit! There was looting, rape, and robbery. During riots and even recent earthquakes there are those dregs of society that use any excuse to pillage their fellow man. God in his wisdom does not want us to know and frankly, I am glad no one knows when Jesus will return.
While I may disagree with those who claim they know the day and hour of Jesus’ return, I do agree that more Christians need to be made aware of the fact that it could be at any time. Too few believers even concern themselves with the fact that Jesus is going to return and when he does, the final judgment will occur. And that mere truth should cause us all great pause because there will be those who will not want nor desire what occurs afterwards. This is why Jesus says…
III. His followers are to keep watch! (Vv. 34-37)
1. A watchman stays awake! Jesus had taught his disciples to “be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” He goes on to state, “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:38-40 NIV) In fact, so quickly would it happen it would be like when “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” The terminology is literally they would be “snatched up” as if taken by an invader! They were therefore reminded to “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:40-42 NIV) Jesus related to them something they understood. He tells them, “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.” Being the watchman would have been a high honor because it involved trust. Jesus entrusted his followers to “keep watch” as well “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.” And, “If he comes suddenly,” you certainly did not want him to “find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:34-36 NIV) Too many Christians are asleep. They seek for the stupor of self-induced worship, and are not ready for their Master’s return. I am again reminded that when Jesus returns it is not going to be all flowers and kittens. Isaiah cries out, “See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.” (Isaiah 13:9 NIV) and Zephaniah laments, “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.” (Zephaniah 2:3 NIV) This is why Jesus warns them, “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Therefore, I believe we want to be very careful when we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!” because as his disciples we are entrusted with keeping watch and some of us have fallen asleep. We are reminded that his followers are to keep watch!
EXAMPLE: There is an old story that teaches that the Great Wall of China was only breached after one watchman was bribed by the Mongolian hordes. No one knows for sure if this is true or not, but it makes sense. Like the old adage that states, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” so is any fortress as strong as the watchmen who guard its gates. Even today, if you are found sleeping on guard duty in the military it is considered dereliction of duty. You can suffer a court-martial or even death for falling asleep at your post. Can you imagine then what it will be like when Jesus returns and he discovers so many of his followers asleep spiritually? We are warned over and over to keep watch.
Conclusion:
Today in Mark we learned three things about how to be on guard: 1) Jesus’ words remain no matter what occurs, 2) No one knows when Jesus will return, and 3) His followers are to keep watch! Now, which one do you need to work on?
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2011 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
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