Stay Awake & Watch

Mark 13:28-37 · 2025-03-09 · Jason Wolin · Gospel of Mark | Cross and Crown

Mark 13:28-37 · Prophecy. Stay Awake & Watch — sermon from Cypress Bible Church on BibleSlides.

Stay Awake & Watch Slideshow for this message PDF Message Download Last week we looked at how to read the Olivet Discourse. And if you recall, the Olivet Discourse describes two things. The events leading up to 70AD and the destruction of the temple and The events leading up to and including the tribulation And the prophetic events end with the second coming. Let’s just retrace that last portion dealing with the end of the tribulation and the second coming starting in verse 19. So this is the end of the tribulation and it says: Mark 13:19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.” Mark 13:20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.” How does this horrible time get cut short? Jesus returns. Mark 13:26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Daniel 7. This is THE CLIMAX EVENT of the Bible. The second coming of Christ is the climax event in the Bible both Old and New Testament. It’s referenced over 1500 times in the OT and over 300 times in the NT. And when we look through church history it is found in all the major creeds. It’s appropriate to say that if the second coming of Christ is not central to a person’s belief system that person is not even recognizable as a Christian. Belief in the literal return of Jesus cannot be parsed out of what it means to be Christian. Okay, fair enough. But here’s the thing: it’s one thing to believe something and another thing for that belief to affect your living. And the way Jesus ends the Olivet discourse is by putting his finger on that issue. This truth, that JESUS CHRIST is LITERALLY returning to planet earth to set up his kingdom, judge the living and the dead is a truth that ought to rock your world. This should make a difference in your life. So Jesus concludes by encouraging two groups of people. First a message to the group who has survived the tribulation. So right after this incredible passage about the coming of the Lord Jesus to earth he gives us this instruction to heed the signs he has given us. Mark 13:28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.” Mark 13:29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” So he says, just as a fig tree puts out it’s leaves and you know the fruit is near, so when you see these signs you will know the second coming is near. Okay, that’s all good. Now if it all wrapped up there, that would be great, but the next verse throws a wrench in things. Mark 13:30 Truly, I say to you, this generation…

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