An Urgent Truth

Mark 13:30-37 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 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. 35 Therefore keep watch 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. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
 
IF you knew for certain that a very well-known person was coming to your house, but you didn’t know the time, you would be on the watch, wouldn’t you? Your watch would be an active preparation to do what you needed to do to honor your visitor.
    Is that your attitude toward Jesus’ Second Coming? Are you spiritually watching your heart, so you will spend eternity with him? Do you watch what you read, watch what you hear, and watch what you believe? Are you watching your loved ones, so they, too, receive him with love, joy, and worship?
    Jesus wants you ready for him and all the universe-changing events that will unfold as the heavens and earth pass away. We are the Master’s church. He has commanded us to help people watch for Jesus.  We are to do so through the effective ministry of his grace under the Spirit’s power. Each day of the Christian life, each era of the church must be lived as if Jesus’ return is right now. When will the honored King come? He could come now.
    His return will be great joy to his faithful servants. But first, many will know great persecution, even to the death. Regardless of what trouble strains around us, we must know the Honored Guest will come. We will join him in the redeemed world.
    Did Jesus expect his return to happen within a few years? It seems so when he said, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” Detractors say he was mistaken. And if he made a mistake, we cannot believe him when he said, “I tell you the truth.” What did Jesus truly say? It’s important to know, so you can defend your faith.
    In response, the Greek meaning of generation is easily interpreted in two ways: “This age will not pass away.” And “This nation will not pass away.” The age is the years the church exists. (See Titus 2:12, Ephesians 1:21.) Jesus says the church will continually exist until Jesus’ return.
    The church is also referred to as Jesus’ nation, under his governance until he returns. Peter says it beautifully in 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
    The Lord Jesus has affirmed his plan and his purpose. Prepare your spiritual house for his arrival.