What does the future hold? When and how will the world end? People spend much time worrying about such questions. One time Jesus’ disciples pointed out to Him the magnificence of the Temple in Jerusalem. In reply Jesus told them that the Temple would be completely destroyed. Naturally, the disciples asked for signs by which they would know this destruction was near. Jesus told them what to look for, but He also gave them a warning. Mark records what Jesus said in chapter 13, verses 21 through 23 of the Gospel which bears his name. “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it. For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.”
During troubled times there will always be people who take advantage of people’s fears and anxieties. Such people do not hesitate to make false claims in order to get followers. Many believe that signs and miracles show God’s approval. This is not always the case. Jesus said that false Christs and prophets perform miracles even though they proclaim a false message. There is an important lesson for us in this. Whenever someone makes a claim, we need to evaluate it by the truth which God has already revealed. If the message is not in harmony with what God has already said, then the person who proclaims it is a false Christ or a false prophet even though he performs miracles. For example, we know that Christ has already come. Therefore, we should not be taken in by someone else who claims to be the Savior.
The destruction of the Temple is also a metaphor for the end of the world. After giving His warning about false Christs and prophets, in verses 24 through 27 Jesus went on to say, “But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,
the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.”
There is no question that, one day, Jesus will return to this earth. Scripture is clear that instead of coming to bring salvation to mankind as He did in His first coming, Jesus will return to judge the world. One thing which will herald His return will be signs in the heavens. The stars and heavenly bodies will act in unusual ways. In making this point Jesus used language which is very similar to that which is found in several prophecies in the Old Testament. While it is clear from other passages that Christ’s coming will be accompanied by unusual celestial phenomena, the Old Testament passages use this type of language to describe political upheavals and the fall of nations. It may be that Christ’s coming will be preceded by major changes among the world’s political and national powers.
In addition, Jesus said that He would come in power and glory. There will be no mistake about His identity because His majesty will be visible to all. He will be accompanied by angels whom He will send throughout the earth to gather His people together in spite of the barriers of culture, language, tradition and custom which separates them today. It goes without saying that no false Christ will have the power to issue such a summons.
In view of Christ’s return, what should our response be? In verses 28 through 37 He said, “Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near; even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors. Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is. “It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping. What I tell you, I tell all: Watch.”
Jesus pointed out that we know how to predict changes in the seasons. We know when summer is near by the changes we observe in trees and plants. In the same way, we should not be taken by surprise by the things which Jesus prophesied. When we see the rise of false Christs and false prophets, when we see massive upheavals among the national and political powers, when we observe unusual portents in the sky, they should alert us that Christ’s return is near.
Jesus’ words are somewhat perplexing because He said that generation would not pass away until His words were fulfilled. Mark writes that when Jesus was crucified a few days later, darkness covered the face of the earth for about three hours (15:33). Shortly after Jesus’ resurrection the Holy Spirit came in power upon the disciples. On that occasion the Apostle Peter said this was a fulfillment of a prophecy proclaimed by Joel. In the passage Peter quoted, Joel uses language which is very similar to the language Jesus used concerning His coming again. Perhaps we can say that Jesus has already returned in the sense that He established His Kingdom, the church, upon the earth that day. However, this is only a foreshadow of the greater return which is still in the future.
Though Christ’s return should not take us by surprise, we should also not fall into the mistake of thinking we know precisely when it will occur. Throughout history, many people have claimed to know the exact time when Christ would return. This is ironic because Jesus plainly told His disciples that no one except God, the Father, knows the day or time. We can be sure that when someone claims they know, they are wrong. Let us not be deceived.
Many people make the opposite error. They assume that because we do not know when Christ will come, it is nothing to concern ourselves about. Jesus said that such people will be caught unaware and unprepared. Because we do not know the exact time when Christ will return, we must always be prepared for it. What about you? Are you prepared for Christ’s return?