Mark

By Joyce Webb 2023

Chapter 13    Verse 24-37

(Jesus is telling the disciples about things that will happen in the end of time.)

Many Christians think we are in the end of time now.

We see things happening that are trying to make a global world government—a one world government—the whole world run by one government.

No longer would each nation have a separate set of laws—but they would all be under one set of laws by one head government.)

Verse 24 Jesus said, “ In those days—after that tribulation—-”

(The “tribulation” is a time in which terrible things happen on the earth. They are told about in the book of Revelation.)

Jesus said–Then—The sun will become dark. The moon will not shine. The stars will not give light.

Verse 25 The stars of heaven shall fall. The powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

Verse 26 Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

(Jesus is telling his disciples that he will come back in the clouds—some day—after the tribulation time is over.)

Verse 27 Then he shall send his angels —-to gather (to get) his elect—meaning God’s people. Elect means the ones He has chosen.

The reason God has chosen them is because they believe in Jesus and have asked for forgiveness and have obeyed Him.)

He will gather his elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.

(The angels will gather together all believers from wherever they are—even from far away places.)

Verse 28-29 Jesus said—Now learn from this parable. (A parable is a story—an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.,)

When a fig tree puts forth leaves—(you know that fruit will come in a short time)—-so also, when you see these things come to pass—when you see these things begin to happen—-then you know that what I have said will soon happen—-it is “at the door” just waiting to happen.

Verse 30 Jesus said– True—what I say to you. That this generation will not pass away until all these things are done.

(The people who begin to see these things happen—-they will see the end of those things before they die. When they see these things begin to happen—then–all these things will happen in their lifetime.)

(That is why—Christians today—think we are seeing the “end times”—-we see things happening in our nation—and in other nations—that have never happened before.

We see things like ways to track people with cameras, using digital ways of buying and selling, having microchips put in their hands that show things about their health—or can be used for identification, or can be used to pay for things.

There are small groups of world leaders that meet together and make laws and rules and get all the nations governments to accept them—and follow the same rules.

Computers have information of all kinds about people. It can be shared with anyone around the world in seconds.

All these things show us that the whole world—all the nations —are connected. This has never been true before in history.

The latest covid sickness—with rules about masks—was obeyed around the world—even the poorest people in India, in Africa, in the islands—all wore masks.

One small group of leaders said to do it. And the whole world did what they said.

We can see how a “one world government” could happen.

The Bible tells us that in the end of time there will be a one world government.

Verse 31 Jesus said, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Heaven and earth may pass away—but Jesus’ words will happen.

Verse 32 Jesus said, “But—of that day and hour—no man knows—-not the angels in heaven—not the Son of God-Jesus—only God the Father knows.”

Jesus is talking about when he comes in the clouds. No one knows the day or hour.

Through the years, preachers have tried to study it and they have said it will happen in such a year. Many believed them. But it did not happen.
Jesus said—no one knows. Jesus does not know when that time will be. Only God the Father knows when it will happen.

When God the Father decides it is time—he will tell Jesus to come.
Verse 33 Jesus said “Take heed—Give attention—Watch—and pray—-for you do not know when the time is.

Verse 34 For the Son of man is like a man who went on a journey (trip) to a far country.

He left his house, and gave authority (leadership) to his servants.
Every servant had his own work to do.

And a man ( a porter) was to watch for the man to return.
The porter was told—
“Watch–for you do not know when the master of the house will return. He may come in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows in the morning.   He may come suddenly. Do not let him find you sleeping.

Verse 37 Jesus said—His coming would be like that.
So —Jesus said—I say to you—I say to all—Watch !!
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In Christian teaching—Jesus returns in the clouds and catches up–pulls up—the believers into the clouds with Him.

See II Thessalonians 4:16, 17 There are others places the Bible that says the same thing.
This is called the “rapture”—meaning to be caught up.
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There is a time called the “second coming” of Jesus.

Jesus comes back to earth to set up his kingdom on earth —-after the tribulation—after the big battle that many nations come against Israel. Jesus saves Israel. The other armies are destroyed.

At that time, Jesus rules the whole earth as King. He rules for 1000 years. Satan is bound up and not allowed to tempt people during that time.
Then Satan is let loose for a short time.

Then there is another battle—the last battle —-Jesus wins—-Satan is defeated—and thrown into hell forever.
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In the churches—there is argument over when the rapture happens.
Some say the rapture happens before the tribulation. Others say it happens in the middle of the tribulation. And others say it happens at the end of the tribulation.

I, personally, think it happens before.

However—the most important thing is —-to be ready !

Jesus said—No one knows the day or hour. Only God the Father knows.
So—stay “ready” always—every day. Be ready to go when Jesus comes to take us up.