Watch! Christ Will Come with Power!

26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 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!’ ”

Mark 13:26-

Introduction

We’ve been working through , which, as I’ve mentioned, is a passage which deals extensively with Christ’s explanation to His disciples of events that He says are going to unfold.

The prompting of this discourse, which is known as the Olivet discourse, was a remark by one of the disciples on the grandeur of the Temple in Jerusalem - it’s magnificent stones; it’s beauty.

But Christ said to the disciples that all of those stones would be thrown down, and there would be destruction of the Temple.

This was all said, by the way, in the context of various pronouncements of judgment by Christ to the religious leaders. in the preceding days as He was in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.

And so, when four of Christ’s disciples ask him the question about when this will take place, Jesus goes on to give a long and detailed explanation of what is to unfold.

As I’ve explained this text to you, I’ve taken the position that what Christ was speaking of when he gave these words was the judgment of God coming upon the Jewish leaders / the nation of Israel.

This was fitting, not only because promises of such judgment were given to Israel through Moses, but because they had, and would continue, to reject the Messiah. They would reject the Son of God.

As we continue our look at this passage this morning, keep all of that in mind.

Before we continue our look, I want to emphasize the fact that just because what Christ said here was directed at the Jews for the judgment coming upon them, do not think for a moment that the words have no relevance to us in our day.

In much the same way as there was judgment coming upon the Israelites due to their lack of acceptance of the Messiah, so it will be at the end of time that judgment will come upon all the nations and peoples who will reject the Messiah.

Judgment is coming. Christ will come again. There is no denying that. There is no avoiding that.

And so inasmuch as Christ gave words of warnings to His disciples in this context of what was to come, we need to be hearing those warnings for our own day, and living our lives in an appropriate manner.

With that in mind, let us turn our attention to this text.

We will pick up in verse 26. Two weeks ago we looked at verses 24 and 25, and we saw that the signs in the heavens that are spoken of there were pictures of the wrath of God, the judgment of God, coming upon a particular people.

But we now turn our attention to verses 26-37, where we learn further important truths concerning what would take place.

1. Authority of the Son in His Kingdom (v.26)

Read Point 1

Verse 26 reads as follows:

Mark 13:26 NIV84

26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Perhaps when we read these words, our minds immediately jump to the thought of Christ coming back to the earth in order to bring in the final judgment.

But I’m quite certain that that’s not where the mind of the Jew of that day would have defaulted to.

The phrase that Jesus uses here is one that was used by the prophet Daniel, and on that occasion, Daniel was actually speaking about the Son of Man ascending to the Father in heaven, and taking a position of authority.

Daniel 7:13 NIV84

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

Quite evidently, Jesus is quoting Daniel, or at the very least he is speaking with language that brings to the minds of those listening a reference to the prophet Daniel.

But what is important over here is to notice where the Son of Man was coming to.

It says in Daniel: “He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.”

Who was the Son of Man approaching? God!!

I mention this simply to demonstrate that we must not assume that what was being spoken of was the Son of Man coming down to earth riding on clouds.

Rather, what this speaks of is the Son of Man that is taking up a position of authority, and taking a position of glory at the Right Hand of the Father.

Clouds would often represent the glory of God.

Think of the clouds that covered Sinai when God descended.

The Glory of God

Think of the clouds that were present on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Look also with me at .

The judgment of God

When Christ was brought before the Sanhedrin, as they were looking to condemn him, notice the discussion that unfolds:

Mark 14:60–64 NIV84

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.

Mark 14:60-

As Christ responds in this verse he’s telling them that he will be in a position of authority at the right hand of the Mighty One.

It is on this basis that he is accused of blasphemy.

Look with me at one further reference in this regard - .

The context in these verses is where Christ says to his disciples that he will suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed, and on the third day be raised to life.

As Christ says this, Peter rebukes him.

And then Christ tells Peter: Get behind me Satan, and then goes on to say in verse 24...

Matthew 16:24 NIV84

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

And then further in verses 27-28

Matthew 16:27–28 NIV84

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

What’s striking about those words of Christ is that some of those standing there would not taste death before the Son of Man came in his kingdom.

As Christ speaks to his disciples with these words, He is making that point that at the time that all of these things unfold, it is a demonstration of the fact that the Son is in His position of authority.

Now we must understand that the disciples would have had reason to be anxious.

Fast-forward a day or two from when these words were spoken to them, and Jesus, the one that they have confessed as the Messiah, is going to be crucified. They were entering into a time of uncertainty.

Would not the words of Christ here been a reminder to them - down the line of time - that Jesus said that he would come with power, and that he would be given authority?

Even the judgment that would come on Israel would be a demonstration that this judgment would take place while Christ was seated at the right hand of the Father, with authority given to him.

And Christ is seated there today!

Today, we can be greatly encouraged because Christ has been given all authority, and He sits today ruling and reigning at the right hand of the Father, until such time as everything will be placed under His feet.

Bet let us be encouraged!! He rules and reigns today, and He is our glorious King!!

He is the One endowed with great power and glory!

Praise God for that!!

2. Expansion of the Son’s Kingdom (v.27)

Say Second Point

In verse 27 of our text, we read these words:

Mark 13:27 NIV84

27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Again, we have in this verse truths which at first glance may be unfamiliar to us.

Jesus speaks about the sending out of his angels to go and gather his elect.

We need to recognise that an angel from the Greek word “angelos” was a messenger.

There is not a separate Greek word to distinguish angel from messenger.

And angel was a messenger.

The word does not necessarily speak about a heavenly being, as we would think about angels in that sense - supernatural beings that are with God in the heavens.

For example:

Matthew 11:10 NIV84

10 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

Who was the messenger? John the Baptist. This is the same word that is used.

Mark 1:2 NIV84

2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—

In , we read of John the Baptist sending some messengers to Jesus, to ask if He is the Christ. Christ responds positively - says that he is. And then we read in verse 24...

Luke 7:24 NIV84

24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

John’s disciples that were sent by him are called messengers - which also could be translated Angels. In fact the word is usually translated angels.

But the point is simply this - messengers (or Angels) would be sent out into the world in order to gather in the elect.

Now think about the time in history when this is unfolding!

As Christ is speaking to the disciples here, I believe that what he was telling them would have been of great encouragement, because it would be a reminder to them that the Gospel messengers would go out.

No longer would God’s revelation and proclamation be severely confined and restricted to one particular people group - the Jews - but rather this knowledge of God would go out to all the world, and the elect would be gather from the four winds.

The “four winds” here simply refers to the four corners of the globe - all the earth!

In other words, all of the divine elect of God would be brought into the kingdom - not a physical kingdom, but a spiritual kingdom!

Notice how this ties in with the great commission that we know so well:

-21

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV84

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV84

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The authority of Jesus is spoken of, referring to His power.

The instruction to go out into all the nations is given.

And all of this begins to unfold in the book of Acts, slowly but surely boundaries are broken in terms of the extents of the Gospel being preached.

But you and I sit here today because those messengers have gone out.

3. Certainty of the Son’s Kingdom (vv.28-31)

Read point 3

Christ continues with his prophetic words to his disciples in verses 28-31...

Mark 13:28–31 NIV84

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 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.

As the disciples are listening, they would again have had reason for encouragement from Christ.

Firstly, Christ speaks about the lesson that they are to learn from the fig tree.

He speaks about the twigs getting tender, and the leaves coming out.

What does it mean when the twigs get tender, and the leaves come out?

It is the time for the bearing of fruit for the tree.

Christ cursed the fig tree near Jerusalem because it had leaves but didn’t have fruit, which the leaves should have been indicating.

In this case, Christ is saying, keep a look out, and you will see the twigs tender, and the leaves coming out - summer is near.

If you connect this with what Christ has just said, regarding the expansion of His kingdom - sending his angels / messengers out into the corners of the world, this is a verse which confirms that the time of fruit is coming.

God’s word will go out into the world, and it will bear much fruit as it expands into every area of the world.

People are going to come in, and nothing will stop the Gospel from bearing fruit.

Are we sometimes pessimistic about the expansion of the Gospel of Christ in the world? We ought not to be!!

In , Christ encouraged his disciples:

Luke 10:2 NIV84

2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

While Christ was proclaiming judgment against the fruitless Jewish religiosity of the day in this passage, he was at at the same time providing a great sense of hope and encouragement to his disciples as they would witness the unfolding of the Gospel kingdom!

He was saying to them, that when all these acts if judgment are unfolding before your eyes, you may be tempted to be very concerned.

But this is the sign that the harvest is truly about to come in!

Christ says in verse 30 that all these things will come to pass before the generation to whom he is speaking passes away.

I believe that he meant exactly that - that generation would see the events that he was speaking of.

But notice then the certainty of what Christ is speaking about in these verses.

Mark 13:31 NIV84

31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The force of these words is this: Even heaven and earth are not as stable and certain as the words that I am telling you.

Everything else may pass away, but what I have said to you will take place - in your generation.

When Christ speaks, when God speaks, nothing will stop that word from being carried out.

That which God says will come to pass, will come to pass.

Psalm 19:7 NIV84

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 119:89 NIV84

89 Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Isaiah 40:8 NIV84

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

We must ask ourselves, are we confident in the promises and words of Scripture.

Christ couldn’t have been more clear - if there is anything that we can hold to as trustworthy, and enduring, it is the words of Jesus Christ our Lord, and it is the revelation of God through the Scriptures.

In these words of Christ to the disciples, He was saying to them that in a world that would be filled with dark days and difficult times, they could take comfort in the words and promises that he had given them.

In our own day, in a world filled with uncertainty and insecurity, we need to learn to find solace in the promises and truths of God’s word!!

Know for certain that what God has spoken is trustworthy, and reliable!

Christ has clearly explained that to His disciples!!

4. Expectation for the Son’s Kingdom (vv.32-37)

Read 4th (Final) point...

In verses 32-37, Christ says these words:

Mark 13:32–37 NIV84

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!’ ”

“That day” in verse 32 is referring to the day when all these things would unfold.

But it certainly has a distinct ring of the end times, final return of Christ to it.

In either case, the fact is that Christ calls on his disciples to “Be on Guard! Be Alert!” because they do not know when that time will come.

If we were to apply it specifically to the days of the Apostles, and the proclaiming of the Gospel as it begins to go out in the book of Acts, we must recognise that despite the calls to the Jews to repent and turn to Christ the Messiah, they refused to do so.

The religious leaders continued in their ways of rebellion against Christ, and they continued in their opposition to the church.

All the way through the book of Acts, the greatest opposition that you find against the church is not so much through the Roman government of the day (although that was there) but rather it is from the Jewish religious leaders.

Judgment was pronounced, and yet there was a refusal to listen.

Eventually, the destruction that Christ spoke of came to pass - as certainly as He said it would.

And those who had refused to listen to Him were destroyed.

In our own day, we need to understand that we are to be on guard, and be alert, because we do not know when the hour of Christ’s return is.

Or perhaps more importantly, we don’t know when the day of our death is going to be.

On Tuesday night, Jacques was on his way to Bible Study, and he came across an accident just outside of Malelane - a vehicle had driven right up underneath the rear of a bus.

The entire roof of the vehicle was taken off right until the rear window.

The driver of the vehicle, a 33 year old healthy man, died in the accident.

He expected to arrive home that night as usual

His family and friends expected him to continue to share in their lives, as usual.

But that wasn’t to be.

As Christ goes on, He emphasises the importance of what he is saying through the use of a parable.

A man goes away, leaves his house, putting his servants in charge, and each one has an assigned task.

When the master of that house comes back, would he be pleased to find his servants sleeping when he returns?

Of course not.

The warning is sounded by Christ: If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

“Watch!!”

Application

Now we need to realise dear friends, that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father now, but He will return to this world in order to judge the living and the dead.

As He has left this world physically for a time, He has assigned His people a task.

I must ask you the question: Are you living expectantly, watching for the return of the Master?

In the Corinthian church, there were divisions taking place within the church, as various people said that they were following different teachers - “I follow Paul, I follow Apollos.”

Paul rebukes them for the divisions that they are causing, because the church ought not to be divided, because Christ unites us.

But he goes on to speak about the work that each person has within the body.

1 Corinthians 3:10–17 NIV84

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

1 Cor 3:10-

The question that must be asked is: what is the quality of the work that you are doing within the body of Christ?

Have you committed yourself to doing the word that the master has set for you to do?

If you claim that Christ is your Lord, have cheerfully devoted yourself to living for Him?

Let me get a little more practical.

First and foremost, the most important task to which you have been called as a person who claims to be in Christ is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, and then to be involved in the proclamation of the Gospel to all the nations.

One Commentator writes:

The NIV Application Commentary: Mark Contemporary Significance

When the Son of Man comes, he will not quiz people to see whose predictions on the date were accurate. He will want to know what we were doing. Were we proclaiming the gospel to all the nations? Were we enduring suffering faithfully? Were we fulfilling the assigned tasks? Those who have been asleep on the job or buried in the task of trying to map out the times rather than carrying out the mission will be more than just embarrassed; they will be judged. That is why Jesus warns his disciples to be on their guard

If then we are going to be faithful in the tasks that our master has assigned to us, I want to suggest to you that we need to begin by diligently availing ourselves of the “ordinary means of grace.”

There is a hymn that is familiar to many of us: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

Never fail to avail yourself of the ordinary means of grace.

Garland, D. E. (1996). Mark (p. 509). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

One of the parts of that song has these words that can too often be true of our lives:

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,

Prone to Leave the God I love,

Never fail to avail yourself of the ordinary means of grace.

When we speak of the “ordinary means of grace,” we’re talking about the primary means through which God works in us: Through God’s word; Through Prayer; Through Fellowship.

Is it your hearts desire to be saturated in the grace of God?

Is it a passion of your heart to know Jesus Christ more, and delight yourself in Him more day by day?

As I was preparing, the words of came to mind

Proverbs 6:6–11 NIV84

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

While these words were written in the context of providing for physical needs by working, how applicable they are to the spiritual death that faces much of the church.

It’s as if there is a sense that God will simply bless us through osmosis - bible will just seep through our skin and change our lives without any effort.

We are called to be awake!

We are called to WATCH!!

If we are not availing ourselves regularly and continuously in those ordinary means of Grace, then we can hardly claim to be watching out for our Saviors return.

Instead, we are at risk of being lulled into a deep sleep that will be detrimental to our well-being in years to come.

So let me ask this morning: how are you stewarding your time?

Ephesians 5:15-16

Ephesians 5:15–16 NIV84

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Psalm 90:12 NIV84

12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Are you stewarding your time wisely?

Are the ordinary means of grace - being under the preaching of God’s word; reading God’s word regularly; learning through others speaking God’s word into your life; praying regularly for your brothers and sisters in the church; praying for the extension of God’s kingdom, even as you commit to being a part of that; praying for greater godliness and holiness in your life; gathering regularly with the body, as far as you are able; involving yourself in the life of the church by stewarding the gifts that God has given to you…etc.

Donald S. Whitney writes these words in his book “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life”: “If people threw away their money as thoughtlessly as they throw away their time, we would think them insane. Yet time is infinitely more precious than money because money can’t buy time.”