The Return of the Son!
Mark 13: 1-36
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For
Advent 1999 |
Max
A Forsythe | |
There is one aspect of every Christmas that is much overplayed, and that is the phrase used by the Angels where they sing as reported by Dr Luke: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Dr Kenner tells us that angelic choir contrasts vividly with the earthly choirs used in the worship of the emperor cult of Rome. To be sure, the whole of the Mediterranean basin was more than grateful for the peace which held bandits, pirates and rogue politicians back. And yet the Christmas message traditionally and commonly understood implies that this birth of Jesus will bring peace upon the earth, somewhat in imitation of the Roman peace now known popularly as the Pax Romana. A few years ago, one of my friends was asked what he wanted for Christmas. He said that there were a lot of things he might wish for or desire that his wife would tell him he shouldn't or couldn't have. Therefore, he would ask for peace on earth and be content with that.
Sadly, this is not what the passage has in mind. And this traditional understanding is one reason why we need to have a variety of good translations to enhance the old King James Version, even in its newer rendition. The original New International Version translates the same verse in this sense: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." The New American Standard Bible agrees in the placement of the emphasis with this translation: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." This emphasis is supported by the Greek text and also comes through in Calvin's understanding: "This is the more accepted reading, allowing, 'Among men in whom he is well pleased,' to come as a third phrase." The angels "are not speaking of outward peace, as men keep it with themselves, but they mean that the earth has been pacified, when men are reconciled to God inwardly, and are quiet in their own minds."
Just last week an email was forwarded to me from Arizona through an Ohio friend. A newspaper in that state was quoted concerning a fictional exchange of letters. Little Sarah writes to God and asks why He allows violence in the nation's schools. God supposedly writes back and tells Sarah, "I'm not allowed in your schools!" How sadly true is that fictional notation! How can we ever speak of peace in our schools, when the God of Peace is never ever quoted nor noted! Time was, when religion was more prominent in public schools and not only the tone, but the real educational substance of what was taught had a greater depth of experience and meaning. Calvin continues to describe this theme: "The reference then is twofold, one way to God, the other way to men, for our peace is established with God, when He clears our guilt, and imputes no sin to us, thus beginning to show us favour, while we, acknowledging His fatherly goodness of heart, call on Him with a firm assurance, and glory without fear in the salvation He has promised us."
Now, that may seem to be a round about means of getting to our text in Mark today. But, the first point I want to make is that the peace promised by the Angels is not for all of mankind. Even as the life of baby Jesus was sought by Herod the King, so too did the Sanhedrin eventually complete Herod's attempt on the cross. The counter revolution of Christ's coming was purposely designed to weaken the successful temptation of our first parents by Satan. God would eventually undo all that Satan wants and desires. And in this counter revolution - there is an ongoing conflict. And just as we too well know in the schools of our country, the real absence of the knowledge of God does indeed lead to violence, trouble, ignorance and increased depravity. So to does a general lack of knowledge, respect and appreciation for Him lead to all kinds of wars, rumors of wars and all manner of troubles over the face of the whole planet.
Even during the life of Christ, the hint of such troubles were the subject of several discourses reported by the Gospel writers. To one of these chapters we would turn our attention for the remainder of our time together today. We turn to the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark. This chapter can be divided into six portions.
Mark 13: 1-2 Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple.
Mark 13: 3-13 He discusses the end of time with His disciples.
Mark 13: 14-23 He describes a period of Tribulation.
Mark 13: 24-28 Jesus describes the coming of the Son of Man.
Mark 13: 29-31 A parabolic sign is given and noted.
Mark 13: 32-36 Specific advice is given for our consideration and benefit.
So let us follow that outline and listen to what God with Us in Christ would have us learn about His second and final coming.
In the first two verses the disciples admire the architecture and building techniques used in the Temple of their day. The stones specifically are mentioned. In my old penciled outline from twenty-five years ago I have a record that some of those stones may have been as large as 40 by 12 by 18 inches. Just a few miles up the road from my house, there is a railroad crossing in the village. On that corner of the railroad, the embankment is held back by a stone wall. Those stones are this size or larger and that bank hasn't moved in my lifetime or even since they were put in place when the railroad was built in the nineteenth century! "Look at the size of those stones, Master," we can just hear the disciples say in amazement! In answer, Jesus predicts "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." A generation later, some of the disciples will live to hear about the terrible siege of Jerusalem whereby the Romans toppled the very stones held in amazement by the disciples.
Evidently, the disciples were amazed by this fact, because another time, when Jesus and His men were gazing across to the Temple Platform from the Mount of Olives, they asked Him when His prophecy would be fulfilled. Now, let us be careful here in our handling of these prophecies. Like all prophecy, there is usually and immediate application - a later fulfillment and a final application. We can agree with the Post-mils that these prophecies were certainly fulfilled in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem later in the first century of Christ's birth. We may also understand that between Christ's first and second Advent, these types of experiences will be known far and wide across the planet by many and diverse people. And finally, at the real end of the age, these events will be all to common once again.
Yes, you may be confused at my acknowledging the pre, post and amillennial presuppositions altogether in one common text. Sometimes, I even confuse myself when I try to think through these things. So be it. While I am mostly partial to the amellennial thinking, I am willing to acknowledge that we can learn something from our pre & post-mil brethren. Suffice it to say that whenever and wherever the Church of Christ is persecuted - there is important witness that must be made by those whose hearts are filled with God's given peace. And if the Jewish experience in the pre-war years is any indication, the Christian community should have been up in arms in protest, marches and political action thirty-some years ago! If every Christian parent had removed their child from public school when prayer was outlawed, it would have been reinstated within six months! If Christian voters had voted liberal politicians and judges out of office whenever they attacked biblical law, the legal foundations would still be firm! If Christian shoppers had or still would stay out of stores that are open on Sundays - there would be an immediate and marked change in the economy! If Christians as a whole would have boycotted the liberal news media and entertainers for any of a hundred good reasons - we would have a lot less trash for the pigs to wallow in.
A few years ago I had thought momentarily about selling two bumper stickers; "CBS - I'd Rather NOT" & "ABC - Disnal & Degenerate" but I calculated there would have been little market for such protests. Yet, there were even rumors just two years ago that when the Retirement systems of two large states stopped buying Disney & several other entertainment stocks - that those corporate leaders put pressure on political friends to swallow up all of those state systems into Social Security for being judgmental. And so it goes throughout the whole of history, in almost any era there are beasts and harlots all too easily type cast as the Great Whore of Babylon and the Beast of Revelation. Jesus tells us as well as the disciples not to worry but to keep on with the most important work of the kingdom - taking the gospel to all the nations! Even in the worldly courts - where lives and reputations are on the line, there are important words to be spoken!.
In the third section of this passage as well, we sense the immediate persecution and timely escape of the Christian population from Jerusalem within that generation. Dr Keener reports that "Josephus, who lived through the war of 66-70, thought the "abomination of desolation" happened in AD 66 when Zealots shed the blood of priests in the temple. Others date the abomination of desolation three and one-half years later, in 70. The Jerusalemites had considered it a sacrilege for the Roman standards, which bore the image of the worshiped emperor, to enter Jerusalem. But in the year 70, when the temple was destroyed, the Romans erected these standards over the desolate site of the temple. Both views may be true: if the phrase means "abomination that causes desolation," then the abomination of AD 66 may have led to the desolation of AD 70." Certainly we know that false Messiah's were common in the whole time period of the first century after Christ. So verses twenty-one through twenty-three still have an immediate impact in the context of the Apostolic age. However, as in all prophecy, we always move from the immediate historic implication to the end of history. There are indeed false prophets abroad and even the Church is not immune from their demonic influence. I sometimes wonder if those denominations and congregations in error, heresy and down right apostacy don't actually outnumber and even overwhelm those which take great care of the doctrine and sacraments once given to the saints by Christ through His Apostles.
When we move into verses twenty-four through thirty-one Dr Keener notes that "Here Jesus uses the language of the end." Usually "ancient literature reserves it for the end or transformation of the present world order and the establishing of God's eternal kingdom." "As in Daniel, the end Jesus predicted seems to have been deferred; the temple was destroyed just as Jesus predicted, but he did not then return. ... Jesus likely means that the end would follow the temple's destruction and the ensuing tribulation; hence the end remains imminent." As I read these four verses I am reminded of a prophetic text in the Old Covenant that describes the heavens being rolled up like a scroll. In that context and in some similarity to some cutting edge theories of how the universe expanded within what some would call a "white hole" I can almost appreciate that great day when all heaven breaks loose with a collapse of the universe in upon itself and some of these vague terms here and in other passages take on real meaning. Now, I'm not going to say any more than that. All kinds of mischief have descended from some of Calvin's creational speculation. And Lord only knows how much damage has been done to the credibility of Christ's Church by false prophets whose timetables of the end would keep a sports time keeper on his toes - second by second.
Suffice it to say - Jesus is coming again and the whole created order will be changed, the population will be judged and a new heaven and a new earth will be created for all eternity. Recently I heard of a person who was temporarily terrified when he had not seen or been able to contact any of his Christian friends. Suddenly he thought of that ridiculous theology of a partial rapture with some to-be-converted left behind with the pagans. I am certain of the various texts that do not support this notion. When all heaven breaks loose and the end arrives - no one, dead or alive is going to miss it! This is where I part company with the pre-milennialists who believe in a partial rapture.
I realize that there are many texts to consider and there are viable theories to all three (or five - depending on who is counting) schools of thought regarding the millennium. Yet, I cannot see any pre or post justification for a long drawn out version of the events described here. The last two portions of this chapter which Mark may have edited into this context should give us pause in claiming that we know what the Lord is doing in this matter. We see in verse twenty-eight to thirty-one an injunction to learn from nature how to comprehend the signs of the times.
Here in America, folk lore has a method to determine the length of winter. That folklore concerns the hibernating habits of the common ground hog. And a whole special day in February is set aside for Puxtawany Phil's annual prediction. Over the years, having lived in the country my whole life, there is a better gauge to know when spring is almost sprung. And that is to watch the trees on the horizon. When they take on a slight purple hue, which indicates the leaves are about to bud - then you can bank on spring in about two to two and a half weeks. Hmmm, just what our text implies isn't it. Of course, plant life is somewhat predictable all over the world, and the similarities of the Eastern North American species are not totally different from what is common in the Middle East. I would think that in these verses Jesus is assuring his audience that the immediate future and the well being of the Christian community depends upon the people listening to their leaders and when the word comes to flee Jerusalem and the surrounding area, to go immediately and not turn back Also, for our context, the proof of what happened in Jerusalem certifies the prophecy of Jesus just as much as history verified the predictions of the Old Testament prophets.
As we come to our last section today, I am reminded of an old Army Sergeant that I knew over thirty years ago. He was one of the few non-coms who did not wear a watch. Yet, if anyone stopped him to ask the time, he could look at the sky and come within a minute or less. If your watch was more than a minute different, then you best check your own time. I say this to warn you, even as Jesus does here in these last five verses - God only knows the time of Christ's return.
Pastors, Preachers or what ever title you are used to using with your Christian spiritual leader, are as a group all to human. And just like plumbers, doctors and lawyers and any other professionals, only one in ten really knows what he is doing. Another eight can fake it pretty good, provided they follow the lead of that necessary ten per cent. However, that last of the ten is usually a charlatan, more wrong than right in anything and everything he does. He is the one who is going to tell you when Christ is going to return. The second year we were on the web, one so-called "world renowned prophetess" emailed me to link to her site! Curious, I took a look and read about her discovery of the "heaven-star". She also had a prediction that the world would end the following spring. I emailed her and told her I would check back with her the next summer! Imagine the gall of that false prophet to claim to know what no human is going to be privileged to know! Any pastoral leader who claims to know when the Lord is coming, has no right to his position, his calling or any financial support! Jesus is absolutely specific here: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
However, we are called to watch and wait and be ready for His coming. Just as some people have gone to some trouble to prepare for a possible Y2K disruption, at least they will be ready for any blizzard we might experience this winter. And so it is that those Christians who really truly expect Christ to return, they will be ready should He do so anytime soon. I am reminded of a professor, whose class I dropped out of in Seminary. The first week of class he went to great lengths to explain how the "pie-in-the-sky" attitude of conservative Christians weakened the ongoing work and witness of the only important matters of paying for a social gospel. He even demonstrated an early grasp of New Age mentality in twisting the gift of the Holy Spirit as the real second coming. It was time he explained for people to realize that there was no future life and that the only thing that counted was in this one. Well, the world is full of people who have no thought for a future day of judgment nor any expectation of a sudden breaking in of a Creator God. Otherwise, they would live more decent and productive lives to give glory to that Creator.
I remember being on guard duty in basic training. One night the DI in charge was one that we all knew liked to sneak up on the posted guards and catch them at a disadvantage. When I was posted to my position guarding a totally worthless run down theater that no one in their right mind would want to break into, I made sure that I walked the beat in the reverse direction that everyone was supposed to do. A minor infraction if caught - new trainees weren't expected to be too bright. But my method paid off, because I caught the DI peeking around a corner where he expected me to be. Even with the protective sheath on the bayonet, I must have jabbed him in the ribs too hardwhen I yelled in his ear "Who goes there?", because he took off running and yelling bloody murder. The next morning in formation, my own drill sergeant smiled and gave me a thumbs up for a job well done!
In the military, in time of war - you can still be executed for falling asleep on guard duty in a war zone. Today - very few Jews become habitual drunks because there is some lingering suspicion that they shouldn't be found drunk when the Messiah finally arrives. We may smile at such a small superstition when the salvation of souls depends upon how we understand their real Messiah, but the point is still poignant. When He comes - where and in what activity could you be found? May you have the good sense to be found in Christ and well ordered in your behavior as well. Amen.
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Resources Used | |
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Cole, Alan. |
Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Mark. |
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Gentry, Kenneth L. |
Before Jerusalem Fell. |
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Keener, Craig S. |
The IVP Bible Background Commentary:
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Marshall, Alfred. |
The Interlinear
NASB-NIV: |
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Morrison, A.W. |
Calvin's New
Testament: |
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The
New Geneva Study Bible
(NKJV) | |
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Mrk 13b |
24 March 74 & 26 December 99 |