WEBVTT 00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:07.919 Now we're continuing our studies in Mark's Gospel this morning, and we've got to Mark chapter 13. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:09.519 I'm going to pray. 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:10.720 That's God's word. 00:00:11.039 --> 00:00:11.919 He will be speaking. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:13.679 Let's pray for our responding. 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:19.920 So, God, our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word that you open up your lips and you speak to us. 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:24.079 Your Son, the Lord Jesus, he is with us. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:26.320 He is bringing these words to us. 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:31.039 And we pray for ourselves, for hearts and minds that would receive rightly. 00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:34.719 And we ask that for Jesus' name's sake. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:35.600 Amen. 00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:37.119 Amen. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:46.399 Now, to start with, I'm actually just going to read verses one to four of our chapter. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:53.520 So Mark chapter 13, and I am going to read verses 1 to 4. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:56.640 So let's listen to the word of God. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:09.599 And as Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Look, teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:14.079 And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? 00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:19.280 There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:30.959 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, tell us, when will these things be? 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:37.519 And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished? 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:42.480 Well, thanks be to God for his word to us today. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:44.879 So here is a question. 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:47.840 What would make you demolish your own house? 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:49.519 Okay, think for a moment. 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:53.680 What would make you demolish your own house? 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:58.079 On the one hand, there would have to be something seriously wrong with it, wouldn't there? 00:01:58.239 --> 00:01:58.560 Okay? 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.280 Some terrible, terrible fault in your house. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:05.920 Maybe your dad has done a DIY project and it has gone badly wrong. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:11.599 Or you would have to be building something far, far better. 00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:16.560 Like a grand design to end all grand designs. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:24.479 Now, here is the question in God's word today: what would make Jesus demolish his own house? 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:28.560 What would make Jesus demolish his own house? 00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:36.319 Now, at the start of our Bible reading, we're with Jesus and his disciples, and they're coming out of the temple. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:41.919 They've been in the temple for the last three chapters, chapters 11 and 12, and now to 13. 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:45.280 And Jesus gave his disciples a promise. 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:46.560 And that's our first heading. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:47.919 You'll see it on the handout. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:54.560 Jesus promised that he would destroy his old house. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:03:02.879 Now, I want you to try to imagine for a moment, if you were one of Jesus' disciples, what would that have felt like to hear? 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:07.360 Because the temple was so precious. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:10.800 So the temple was God's house. 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:11.759 So precious. 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:13.759 It was the place of prayer. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:17.039 It's the place of sacrifice. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:23.680 If you needed forgiveness, atonement for your sins to the temple, you must go. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:29.520 To enjoy fellowship with God, to eat a meal with God in his presence. 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:31.360 That was the temple. 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:34.560 And now Jesus says it's going to be destroyed. 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:41.759 And later in the chapter, he makes it really clear he was going to destroy his temple. 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:49.120 Now that shouldn't surprise us if we've listened carefully to everything Jesus said in chapter 11 and chapter 12. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:49.840 Do you remember? 00:03:50.000 --> 00:04:02.080 Jesus came into Jerusalem and he saw the temple and he saw the people who operated there and he saw that there was no fruit, there was no love, there was no love for God, there was no love for neighbour. 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:07.039 He saw hypocrisy, fakery, he saw false religion. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:10.319 And Jesus hates such things wherever he sees them. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:11.520 And what was his response? 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:12.319 Do you remember? 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.000 Do you remember how he killed the tree, this big tree, and he killed it? 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:20.800 It was a sign of how he would kill the fruitless temple. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:24.240 He went in and he threw over the tables of the money changers. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:27.199 And he told that parable, the tenants in the vineyard. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:28.160 Do you remember that? 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:32.879 He walked around the temple while telling that parable about those people. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:36.639 They rejected God and his prophets, and they were going to reject God's son. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:43.040 And so God, who is the vineyard owner, he would kill them and give that vineyard over to others. 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:50.560 And now he says to the disciples, as they look at this beautiful, extraordinary building, not a single stone is going to stand. 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:53.600 Now, what do you make of Jesus' words? 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:56.879 They're actually violent words, aren't they? 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:01.839 They speak of holy judgment, of death, and destruction. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:06.560 He's warned about this for chapters. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:14.240 And now at the start of chapter 13, it's a bit like he writes a demolition notice and he pins it to the temple door. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:16.079 And these are things that Jesus did. 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:18.879 He really did in real history. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:23.759 And then the disciples ask him, Jesus, when? 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:26.240 That's their question in verse 4, isn't it? 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:28.000 When will you destroy the temple? 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:31.759 How will we know when it's about to happen? 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:37.839 Now, one really big tip before we hear Jesus' answer in the rest of the chapter. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:46.079 The events that Jesus described here, almost all of them happened in the lifetime of his disciples. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:51.199 They happened in what Jesus called this generation. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:59.680 And almost everything to hear everything we read of here, it's to do with that temple in Jerusalem. 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:02.560 So what's this got for us? 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.279 Yeah, we live long after the temple's end. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:07.680 This is not just history for us, though. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:11.439 We see Jesus here, we see his holiness and his judgment. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:13.360 We're shown his power and authority. 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:16.639 He has the authority to end the temple. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:21.199 Actually, to end Jerusalem and the old covenant age. 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:25.519 And we get to look back on a prophecy fulfilled. 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:28.160 And that helps us to trust Jesus' words. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:31.920 And that's actually the big thing that Jesus wants us to do from this chapter. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:37.839 To grow our heart's conviction that his words are trustworthy and true. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.759 So let's get into Jesus' answer. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:42.160 The question, remember, when will this happen? 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:45.600 Let's look on to verses 5 to 13. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:49.279 And Jesus told his disciples, not yet. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:53.040 The end of the temple was not yet. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:55.920 So let me read from verse 5. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:07:00.720 And Jesus began to say to them, See that no one leads you astray. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:06.879 Many will come in my name, saying, I am he, and they will lead many astray. 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:11.120 And when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:14.319 This must take place, but the end is not yet. 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:18.480 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:22.560 There will be earthquakes in various places, there will be famines. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:25.600 These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:38.879 But be on your guard, for they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:54.079 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations, and when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:08:03.120 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father, his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:07.279 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:11.680 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:14.000 Just pause there. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:23.519 Those verses, they are like a potted history of the church from when Jesus spoke, about 33 AD, down to 70 AD. 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:26.800 It's history given in advance. 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:28.879 In other words, it's prophecy. 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:32.720 And it must have been a bit like a bucket of cold water for the disciples. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:35.279 What were the disciples expecting? 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:43.039 If they had been expecting things like triumph and glory and success and victory, well, they were not going to get it. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:48.480 They were told to watch out firstly for fakes, false Christs, liars. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:50.559 And there were such men. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:56.320 History even records some of their names who came along and said, Look, I'm the Messiah, follow me. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.360 They were not to be alarmed when there was war. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:11.840 And in the years to come, if Jesus' disciples picked up their newspapers, they'd have read about things like Rome's war with Parthia, local wars, the year of the four emperors, the revolt in Judea. 00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:20.879 And there would be natural disasters, earthquakes, and there were famines, like the terrible one recorded in Acts and 1 Corinthians. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:23.759 But it's not yet the end. 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.759 It's not yet the end of the temple. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:29.600 And Jesus says to them, verse 10, have a look at verse 10. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:34.720 The gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:36.720 And here's what that means. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:41.200 This judgment of mine, the destruction of the temple, it won't happen. 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:50.159 The place of Israel in God's purpose is being ended, it won't happen until the gospel has gone out beyond Israel to the nations. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:54.799 Because wonderfully, the Lord was starting to build a new temple. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:57.600 Not a physical building, but the church. 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:12.240 And it might sound a little bit strange to our ears, but actually in the New Testament, just a few years later, when it was nearly time for this judgment to fall, the Apostle Paul could say things like this. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:17.759 He could say, Colossians 1, the gospel is bearing fruit in the whole world. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:21.519 The gospel is being proclaimed in all nations. 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:23.279 Romans 16. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:34.080 But for those disciples back then, talking with Jesus, listening to Jesus, the message was this don't be surprised by persecution. 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:36.240 The Lord is with you in it. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:38.879 You will have to endure and persevere. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:43.519 Keep at the work, the work of proclaiming, because the Lord has a plan. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:46.159 And actually, we should be really thankful that they did. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:49.679 Their faithfulness, through the Spirit's help, it actually meant that they did. 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:52.559 They did testify before kings and councils. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.480 Just think of the story of Acts. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:59.440 These were the people who authored the New Testament, who gave the church its foundation. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:02.320 Well, Jesus goes on. 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:10.879 Next few verses, verses 14 to 23, Jesus then says to them, Here are some signs for you to watch out for. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:22.480 All of those other things, they are not signs of this coming judgment, but here are some signs of this judgment to come, to help you spot when the temple's end is near. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:29.120 So grab your Bible again, please, and I'm going to read from verse 14 down to verse 23. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.159 Have a look. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:45.120 But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be, let the reader understand, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:54.320 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:02.960 And alas for women who are pregnant, and for those who are nursing infants in those days, pray that it may not happen in winter. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:12.159 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of creation that God created until now, and never will be. 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:18.000 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:22.559 But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he shortened the days. 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:28.480 And then, if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ, or look, there he is, do not believe it. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:36.080 False Christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.679 But be on guard. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:41.279 I have told you all things beforehand. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:53.519 Now there are some strange words and some strange phrases in that passage, but you cannot miss the feel of those words. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:54.879 What does it feel like? 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.600 It feels like this. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.279 It is foreboding. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:00.320 Something bad was about to happen. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:03.600 And you can't miss the purpose of Jesus' words here. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:08.559 They were not given so that Christians can argue about what this means. 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:09.840 That's not the purpose. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.919 The purpose is really obvious. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:17.840 Something terrible was going to happen, and Jesus' purpose was a really kind one. 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:23.519 It's as if he says to his disciples, I'm telling you this in advance to protect you. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:25.919 And I want you to do two things. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:29.679 Firstly, he says, I actually want you to flee. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:36.720 Actually, anyone who lives in Judea who believes these words of mine, verse 14, flee. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:39.360 Run away to the hills and pray. 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.960 The Lord shortened this time of suffering. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:49.519 It's all in God's plan and purposes, but for any Christian people caught up in it, it would be terrible. 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:51.759 So flee and pray. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.639 But what was going to happen? 00:13:54.879 --> 00:14:01.600 And Jesus says, this is the signpost telling you that the end of the temple was near. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:09.279 So he says, doesn't he, look out for, verse 14, look out for this abomination of desolation. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:11.919 Now that sounds like something from a horror film. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:19.600 It has to do with the defilement of God's temple, with the dirtying of God's holy house. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:22.159 And it was part of God's judgment. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:27.519 Back in the Old Testament, the prophet Daniel had said this abomination was coming. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:32.320 It happened once before under a pagan king who took control of the temple. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:36.639 And Jesus said, something like that, it's going to happen again. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:44.720 Now, loads of bad stuff happened in and around the temple just before the year 70 AD. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:54.879 This abomination that Jesus speaks about, likely, it's what happened when a Jewish group called the Zealots, they staged a revolt. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.399 They actually set up a mock high priest in the temple. 00:14:58.559 --> 00:15:02.320 It was a literal mockery of God's things. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:08.480 And Jesus said to his disciples, When you see that, run and pray. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:10.799 Because it's going to get really hideous next. 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.840 And it did. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.320 Human powers. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:16.879 Just think about our newspapers, even. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:17.840 Human powers. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:21.039 We have done some terrible things across human history. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:38.080 But when those Roman armies besieged Jerusalem 69 AD, well, the historians wrote of cannibalism, of blood running knee-deep, of total barbarism, wicked acts by wicked men, but also the sovereign judgment of God. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:42.960 And really kindly, the Lord warned his young church ahead of time. 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:45.519 So you're going to have to live through this judgment. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.399 That was the message. 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:51.919 You're going to have to live through this time when the old covenant age is very violently going to be ended. 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:55.919 And the climax of it took place in the year 70 AD. 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:58.000 The temple, Jerusalem, it was destroyed. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:01.279 And that's what Jesus told his disciples about next. 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:06.320 How he would actually end the old order and gather in his church. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:08.559 So have a look down at those next few verses. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.639 We'll pick it up at verse 24. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:24.159 So look again in your Bibles where Jesus says, But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens shaken. 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:29.919 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:38.960 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:45.600 Now, when we read those verses, I wonder what you think they are talking about. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:56.080 Many of us, I guess, would instinctively think Jesus is talking about the end of the world, not talking about the end of Jerusalem and the temple back in the year 70 AD. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:17:00.399 But I think that is actually what Jesus is speaking about. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:02.480 And there's one very big clue in our passage. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:07.279 Just look a little bit further on, down to verse 30. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:15.279 Jesus says, This generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:24.640 So in other words, Jesus was talking to his disciples, and he said to them, All of this stuff I'm talking to you about, up to that point, you will live through it. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:27.119 It's not going to be very nice, but you will live through it. 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.920 You will see it. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.319 This generation will experience it. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:42.319 And when Jesus talks about the sun being darkened, so imagine the sun switch being turned off or stars falling, he wants us to read the Old Testament. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.599 Just an encouragement. 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:46.000 Go home and read the whole of Isaiah 13. 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:52.319 And in that chapter, God describes his judgment on a real-life empire. 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:55.039 And he describes the death of Babylon. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:58.720 He used another earthly army to kill that empire. 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:07.359 And he said that this ending of one great power, it was like the sun and the stars dimming and so on. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:11.920 It was not just a little bit of history, it was a cosmic event. 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:15.279 It involved not just kings on earth but powers in heaven. 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:19.680 So there was a regime change going on on a cosmic scale. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:23.200 And that is what Jesus is talking about here. 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:29.119 Not the death of a pagan empire, but actually the death of Jerusalem and Judea and the temple. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:32.319 There's actually going to be a cosmic change, a new world order. 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:34.640 And it's all going to be done by this Son of Man. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.680 That's the Lord Jesus. 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:39.119 He comes to judge with all power and glory. 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:42.480 But there is something really beautiful here, too, in the Son's work. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:47.839 He's not just destroying his old house, he's also building his new house. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:50.240 And that's what verse 27 is talking about. 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.519 It's a really beautiful picture. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:58.799 Christ sending out his angels, servants of the church, to gather together his people from all nations. 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:02.799 And that's actually the story of the church, which is not yet finished. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:07.359 Well, then Jesus, he goes back to the garden, doesn't he? 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:13.200 He gives the disciples this lesson about the fig tree in verse 28. 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:16.240 From the fig tree learn this lesson. 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:21.839 So when you see leaves on the tree, that's a sign that summer is nearly here. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:30.880 When you see the temple defiled and this terrible suffering, that's a sign that Jesus the judge is about to do all of his work. 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:38.319 Now, the disciples, again, just try and put yourself in their shoes for a minute. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:41.759 I guess they must have felt pretty rocked by all of this. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.839 He warns of suffering. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:52.000 Yes, he promises gospel growth, but those things are going to go hand in hand, aren't they, according to Jesus? 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:54.799 And if I'd been with them, I think I'd have wanted to sit down. 00:19:55.519 --> 00:20:00.000 And so he gives this really lovely double reassurance to them. 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:08.000 He says, verse 30, yes, I truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.759 You'll see it happen. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:18.319 But then verse 31 heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:22.799 Now just stop and think on that sentence for a minute. 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:27.920 That is actually the most important message that any person could ever hear. 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:33.680 It means that you can safely build your life on the words of Jesus Christ. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:38.160 They are the most solid thing that you can think of. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:51.920 So Jesus says, take my words very, very seriously, but you can take my words very, very seriously, and you can build your life on this most solid of all ground. 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:55.119 And that's what he wants for each one of us. 00:20:55.599 --> 00:21:01.599 Now the final words that Jesus gave his disciples, and we'll pick it up at verse 32. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:05.519 Jesus does now change his time frame. 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:08.720 He had been looking just a few years into the future. 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:15.680 He now has got something in mind different when he will come again to his house on a day that no one knows. 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:18.960 So let me read this last part of our chapter. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:25.359 But, verse 32, but concerning that day or that hour, no one knows. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:29.279 Not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:35.759 Be on guard, keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:44.960 It's like a man going on a journey when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:22:00.319 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock grows, or in the morning, lest he comes suddenly and find you asleep. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:04.640 And what I say to you, I say to all. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.519 Stay awake. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:12.799 So you see, Jesus is talking about something different now. 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:18.799 He was talking about the days, plural, he's now talking about the day, that day. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:24.960 Before he was talking about things that you could know, that you could look out for, you could spot. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:28.319 He's now talking about things that you do not know. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:30.240 In fact, no one knows. 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:38.640 So the Lord Jesus is here looking forward to his future and his final judgment, which we are still awaiting too. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:45.119 And it'll be like a master or a great lord coming back to his own house. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:52.160 Just like Jesus came to his house before, he came to his temple, and he did not find the people there ready. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:58.480 So he wants us to imagine, well, the Lord of this house, he has gone away, and he has left servants behind. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:00.000 So we are servants. 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:02.960 And each has his own work to do. 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:06.079 And this is a word to Jesus' servants. 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:08.079 So he's speaking to all of his servants. 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.839 Did he notice in verse 37? 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:14.240 So what I say to you disciples, I say to all. 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:21.039 This is the first point in the chapter, actually, where he turns away from his disciples and he turns to every Christian in every place and time. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:24.880 He's looking down the history of the church until the day he returns. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.640 And he says that to all of us. 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:28.000 Stay awake. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.880 Do you see that? 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.519 Stay awake. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.880 He actually says it four times. 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.880 Stay awake, stay awake. 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:36.720 You don't know when he's coming back, so be ready. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:40.000 Even God the Son does not know. 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:51.440 John Calvin commented on that mystery, and it is a mystery, how Christ in his divine nature chose not to exert that divine nature. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.759 God the Son even does not know. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:56.559 So how could we possibly know? 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:59.759 And he's coming back as the same judge. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.920 He hasn't changed the Lord Jesus. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:05.440 Remember those things he hated in his old house? 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:12.160 Remember the withered fig tree, the overturned table, the wicked tenants, the hypocrisy, the fake religion. 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:18.400 And remember the pile of rubble that now stands where the first house was. 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:23.200 Well, the challenge for all of us is the same as they faced back then. 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:25.119 There is work to do, isn't there? 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:28.799 Godly speaking, godly living, being on our guard. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:33.920 There are still plenty of false teachers, and there is much need for endurance. 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:36.400 So there's the encouragement. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.920 It's a long chapter. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:42.720 There are some puzzles in it, but actually the outbox is pretty simple, isn't it? 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.839 Stay awake. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.880 Stay awake. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.079 Stay awake. 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.599 Stay awake. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:50.000 And remember this as we finish. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:56.880 That second coming, that future coming, it's not really an event. 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.880 It is a person. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:02.559 The Lord Jesus is coming. 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:05.440 So are we ready for him? 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:16.079 When we love a person, when we love the Lord Jesus, we will think about him, spend time with him, listen to him and his solid words. 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:23.279 We'll put our desires second and behind in order to put his first. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:26.079 We'll study in order to please him. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:31.599 Because we love him and we do not want to meet him unprepared. 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:33.039 Let's bow our heads. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.839 I'll pray. 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:35.119 Let's pray. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:49.440 Lord Jesus Christ, we read that heaven and earth will pass away, those most solid of all things, and yet your words will really not pass away. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:54.559 Give us your help, we pray, to build our lives upon your word. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:58.960 Help us to put sin to death while we wait. 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:02.400 Please help us not to fall in love with this world. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:05.920 Give us your gift of repentance and faith each day. 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:09.279 You've made us your servants, you've given us wonderful work to do. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.960 Fill us with your Holy Spirit. 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:12.640 Help us to wait well. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:15.359 We ask that for Jesus' name's sake. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.319 Amen.