The End of the Story (Mark 13:24-27)

What do you think would happen to you if you spent a lot of time and effort reflecting on the return of Jesus? 

For some of us, the answer to that question might not be very flattering. We can think of people in our life who spend a lot of time on prophecy charts, prediction websites, and social media posts, but the result is not becoming more like Jesus at all. Instead, they're cold to the suffering of others, numb to the problems of the world, and judgmental of other Christians who don't share their views. 

So, if you've been around American Christianity for the past few decades, the topic of Jesus' return might elicit some feelings in you, and some of you might not be so keen on talking about it. 

But throughout the New Testament, Christians are encouraged to reflect on Jesus' return and encourage one another with it. So let's do that together this Sunday at Grace. 

This week at Grace we're continuing through Mark 13. For the first two weeks in this series, we've been looking at Jesus' prophecy that the temple would be destroyed within one generation (which it was). 

But in v. 24 Jesus' time horizon changes. He goes from speaking about the destruction of the temple to his (still future) return in power. As we look at this short passage in v. 24-27, we're going to reflect on what it means to live with faith in Christ now and forever. 

In Christ, 
Pastor Bob

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“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 will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 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.

- Mark 13:24–27