Big Idea - In both Western and Eastern thought, there is a sense of never-ending time. Either endless cycles of death and rebirth in Buddhism or the idea that the universe is billions of years old and will continue on for billions more before it runs out of gas. However, the Bible paints a very different picture in which there is a definite point when it all began and a very sudden end to the story. Jesus, as well as the authors of the New Testament, emphasized this reality and, along with it, the idea that knowing the end may be coming soon should change how we live now. The two big questions this should spark in our thinking are how long we have before the end comes, and what do I need to do to prepare for that day?
Jesus' statement that the Temple would one day be destroyed introduces the teaching about the end times. Four of the disciples then ask when these things will take place and what will be the sign indicating the time is near. In their thinking, the end of the Temple must surely be the end of the world. But Jesus' answer indicates that the destruction of the Temple and the end of the world are two separate events, and there will be a period of time separating them. The events are also different regarding the warning leading up to their culmination. Specifically, there will be a sign given that the fall of the Temple is near. After that, at some point in time, the Son of Man will come. It is an event that will be marked by cataclysmic events in the heavens that point to the universal scope of His return. It is not local. The entire universe will be shaken and changed. The Son will come with the power and glory of God, and no one will miss it. The shaking of the heavens is not a sign warning of His return but events that coincide with His coming in power and glory. At that time Jesus will gather the elect from the farthest corners of the universe. The elect, or chosen, are those who have put their faith in Jesus as the only way of salvation. He gathers them to Himself to live with Him forever in the final consummation of His kingdom. All the rest of humanity will fall under the eternal judgment of God.
Jesus then gives two parables as pictures of what He has just told them. These often cause a great deal of confusion. But if we take the most basic and straightforward reading, we see that the parables correspond to the two events He has been talking about. The first parable is about the things they can know. They can know when the destruction of the Temple is about to happen because a sign is given to indicate the time is near. Just as the fig tree budding and putting on green leaves is a sign that summer is approaching, so the desecration of the Temple is a sign that its destruction is soon. In fact, it will happen before this evil generation passes away, meaning within the disciples' lifetime. Jesus then gives another parable, but this parable focuses on the things that we cannot know. What we cannot know is when the Son of Man returns. Only the Father knows. It is compared to a man going on a journey who gives his servants authority to manage his affairs and take charge of his business until he returns. He expects the doorkeeper to stay awake and be ready for his return anytime because he will come unannounced - without warning. The point of this parable and Jesus's teaching about the end is that He can come at any time, so we must always be ready! We need to stay awake so that we are not caught sleeping when He returns. In other words, we must live with the constant expectation that Jesus could return at any moment. Does this mean Christians should be workaholics who never sleep? No, not at all. It means that we must always be obedient, focused on doing His will, and not living for ourselves. How do we do that? First, do not delay in putting your faith in Him to save you! Today is the day of salvation. Second, since we have been bought with a price our life is no longer our own. He has given us authority, power, and a task. So we need to find out what that task is and be diligent to do His will, not our own. How do we know what that is? Our job falls into two main areas of responsibility: First, we have been given power through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses in the world. Second, we are to build up the body of Christ into the full measure of the stature of Christ. That is, to do all we can to help each other be more and more like Jesus. We need to be seeking daily what He is calling us to do that day. In the end, it means living every day and every moment as if Jesus were coming back today. If He returns today, will He find me doing His will with all diligence and faithfulness? Are we a people who love His appearing and live with eager expectation and anticipation of His return? There are serious temptations that loom in a long delay. Like the Israelites at Mt Sinai when Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain. If we are in a season of great suffering, the temptation is to give up and find the easy way out. An equally serious temptation, however, is living in a time of great ease and comfort. Then, the temptation is to grow complacent and love this world and this life too much. Therefore, we must stay awake! Be vigilant and always looking for His powerful and glorious return!
