Watch Therefore

Background Scripture: Mark 13
Lesson Scripture: Mark 13:24–37

Introduction

Jesus warned that time will suddenly end, and only God knows when that time will be. One can be going to a very special occasion or an everyday event and have a fatal accident. One can be sitting in a comfortable chair and die from a heart attack. The end of time for each one of us is a very sure thing. We need to maintain a watchful, God-conscious life.

Key Verse

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut (Matt. 25:10).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In Mark 13, Jesus spoke of both the destruction of Jerusalem and His coming to judge the world. We may not always be sure we know from verse to verse which one Jesus is speaking about. The chapter begins with Jesus leaving the magnificent temple that the Jews admired. As He left, the disciples commented on its beauty as well as that of the surrounding buildings. Jesus responded by saying that these buildings would not be able to withstand the destruction that was coming to the earth. We believe He was speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, which happened in 70 ad. This was the last time Jesus visited the ­temple, and the last time He spoke publicly.

In verses 24–32, it seems quite certain that He is telling the disciples about His second coming. He told them they needed to watch and be prepared.

Jesus warned His disciples that false prophets and false Messiahs would come to deceive them. These false Christs would try to lead them away from the truth by offering them an attractive way of living that would, nevertheless, leave them in Satan’s domain. This deception would become very intense. Those sincerely serving God might even be deceived. When times become that uncertain, God will shorten the days. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24).

People have predicted the end of time by attempting to interpret what the Bible says about the last days. They often use events that have happened throughout history to support their predictions. Some have been very sure about when the end will come. This is deception, because God alone knows when the end will be.

Jesus warned His followers that they would be brought before the courts and persecuted for His sake. So why would they endure all this? Believers are willing to persevere because they have eternal life. To be faithful to God here on earth ensures that life after the judgment will be a time of unfathomable joy.

Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and help them in the times when they would feel inadequate. We need not worry about fearful possibilities because the Holy Spirit will lead His followers through anything that occurs. Our responsibility is to watch daily and be prepared for the glorious day of His return.

Practical Truths for Today

Christians have been warned ever since Jesus was here to watch and be prepared for the end of time. Time will end for every person either in death or the glorious return of Christ. We must be ready and watching.

A minister who for many years lived his daily life doing good for ­others and who preached the gospel to many people said he woke up every morning and wondered if the Lord would return that day. By this daily reflection he no doubt lived in preparation for the end of time.

A Christian begins his day concerned to do God’s will. He has a time of devotion and asks God to watch over him, seeking His guidance in everything he will encounter that day. God honors his prayer and takes care of him. After many days with everything going quite well, he may begin to slip into a state of carelessness, feeling secure in himself. As he fails in his thanksgiving to God, his devotions grow less meaningful, and eventually he neglects to commune with God. He has drifted away from his Lord.

A lukewarm Christian who tries to prove his spirituality by merely following the traditions of the church may become deceived. He may give his time and money, showing forth his good works. However, if he habitually follows only a lifestyle rather than the Holy Spirit, he could become deceived. It is a false sense of security when one feels safe following godly traditions without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus wants our hearts to be dedicated to Him. He wants us to have a live, viable relationship with Him. With this relationship, we will follow the traditions of Christians, but it will be a result of our love for God. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15). We will not base our salvation on keeping customs or traditions, but keeping our dress modest and our lifestyle conservative is fruit of our dedication to God.

A Christian will follow the path where Jesus leads him even though He may lead him to places he never expected to go. Though he does not know how life will unfold, he will not deviate from the way of self-denial. To faithfully deny the flesh and follow Jesus is the only way to stay on the highway to heaven (Isa. 35:8). A Christian’s position in life is to carefully watch for his Master’s return.

Living a life for Jesus means loving others unconditionally. To withhold from people because I reason that they do not deserve what I could give for their benefit makes me a judge. “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13). To love other people and think about their salvation, seeking to kindly assist them in any way, is the hallmark of the Christian who is watching for his Lord’s return. Matthew 24:12 says that the love of many shall wax cold. We cannot love God if we do not love our fellowman (1 John 4:20).

In the parable of the ten virgins, the five virgins who were turned away lacked oil (love) when the bridegroom came. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 25:13). They were not watching expectantly; rather, they had fallen into a habitual lifestyle of complacency. The bridegroom coming and the virgins discovering they had no oil may symbolize that they had stopped loving their fellowmen. They were turned away because they had failed to watch.

Our love for others is tested when someone mistreats us or says something bad about us. When someone cuts us off on the highway, how do we react? Do I respond in the way a child of God should respond? Is it the way I would act if I knew the Master was returning today?

Christians can determine if they are watching for the return of the Lord by how much they love the souls of men. Watching for the Master includes thinking of others’ well-being ahead of my own welfare. When I love God with all my heart and truly put others first, I am watching and prepared for the return of Christ.

Illustration

A man was traveling one night on a smooth, well-maintained highway in North America. He had driven similar roads many times. He was motoring along carefully watching the road. He had done this so often he felt prepared for any eventuality.

While cruising along at a safe speed, according to the traffic study, a herd of cattle appeared in his headlights. He tried to dodge the animals but hit one. The ensuing slide and rollover resulted in a fatality in the vehicle. Sudden death brought the end to a loved one’s watching and preparing.

Even though the driver was prepared and watching, it still caught him by surprise. The accident was unexpected, and death was instantaneous, leaving no time to prepare. The end of time will be a sudden surprise; we must watch and be prepared every day.

Rising each morning to begin the day could be compared to driving a familiar road. We assume time will continue, expect little to hinder us, and soon find it is evening. But one day it will be different, perhaps today. Watch therefore!

Questions

1. What causes a Christian to be legalistic?
2. How does one know if he is watching sufficiently?
3. Is the life you are living today the one you want to be living when Jesus returns?
4. Does fear of the unspeakable terror of the lost, or anticipation of the unfathomable joy of the saved help the most to prepare for the end?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).