NO ONE KNOWS WHEN CHRIST IS COMING BACK

Proclamation:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, 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.”  Mark 13:32-33 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark as he received it from the apostle Peter.  In this chapter Mark records the words of Jesus, The Christ, as He tells Peter, James, John and Andrew about the signs of His coming and the end of the world. (Mark 13:1-37)  Jesus said that many will come claiming to be Him. (Mark 13:5-6)  He said that they will hear of wars and rumors of wars, nations will rise against nations, and there will be earthquakes in various places at the beginning of the end. (Mark 13:7-8)  He said that brothers will betray brothers, fathers will betray their children, and children will rebel against their parents. (Mark 13:12)  False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform sign and wonders to attempt deceive the elect. (Mark 13:22)  Then people will see The Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory and He will gather His elect from the ends of the earth. (Mark 13:26-27)  Then Jesus tells them that no one knows the exact day or time when this will occur so they should be ready.

Application:

We know that Jesus, The Christ, is coming to earth again.  We need to prepare for Him now because if we wait until then it will be too late.  Since no one knows the hour or the day, (Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32) we need to be ready so that when He comes to gather His own we will not be left behind. (Mark 13:26-27 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

SIGNS THAT THE END OF THIS WORLD IS NEAR

Proclamation:

“… But Jesus said, ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another …’ They asked, ‘when will these things happen?  And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?’  He replied ‘… many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am he’ … When you hear of wars and uprisings … Nation will rise against nation … There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places … and great signs from heaven ... they will seize you and persecute you … all on account of My name …Everyone will hate you because of Me … the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see The Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and glory.  When these things begin to take place … your redemption is drawing near.’”  Luke 21:5-28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  While Jesus was in the temple, He looked up and noted rich men putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow give two small copper coins.  Jesus stated that the poor widow had put in more than all of the others because she had given all that she had. (Luke 21:1-4)  Then He told them about the coming destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times. (Luke 21:5-36)    

Application:

Many people believe that the end of this world is near.  They say that the signs which Jesus spoke about are already occurring.  There are false prophets and leaders of cults walking around claiming to be The Lord.  The news is full of wars and rumors of wars.  Nations are rising up against one another.  Earthquakes are occurring in strange places.  If the end of this world is near, that is all the more reason for people to repent and confess while there is still time.  The Son of Man will return (Luke 21:27) and woe be onto those who do not believe.