## As The End Approaches

## Mark 13:1-37

(Mark 13:34) "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."

There are two phases of the Second Coming:

1. The Rapture cf 1 Thess 4:16-17

2. The Revelation cf Luke 17:30, Mark 13:26

Jesus mentioned many things that were not signs of His return.

QUESTION - What things did Jesus warn are not signs of His coming?

1. Jesus listed the things that must not be taken as the "signs" of His coming.

2. Rather, they are indications that the Tribulation "birth pangs" are just beginning.

3. The success of false christs (Mark 13:5-6)

4. The nations in conflict (Mark 13:7-8a)

5. The appearance of natural disturbances (Mark 13:8b)

6. And religious persecutions (Mark 13:9-13).

Theses things have always been with us, but since these events are compared to "birth pangs," our Lord may be saying that an acceleration of these things would be significant.

Jesus mentioned many signs of His return.

QUESTION - What are the signs that we see in this passage? v24-26 cf Luke 21:25-26; Mt. 24:29-30

Jesus spoke of His return being imminent.

(Luke 12:40) "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

(Rev 22:12) "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

QUESTION - What has to happen before Christ's return?

QUESTION - What is the significance of Jesus' imminent return to us, personally?

"Redemption Draweth Nigh"

"If back then it seemed so real, Then I just can't help but feel, How much closer His coming is today."

Tonight in our study we want to look at this passage (v34-37) in Mark's Gospel and notice that Jesus lists four important things to remember as the end approaches.

I. The Authority v34a

"… and gave authority to His servants…"

A person must have authority before He can give authority. We know that Jesus has authority.

(Mat 28:18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

(John 5:26-27) For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

QUESTION - Who are "His servants?"

QUESTION - What is this authority based on? The word of God, cf. Vs. 31

QUESTION - How is this significant to us, personally?

A. We have the authority of Almighty God!

(Mat 16:18-19) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

B. We hold in your hands the power of the Almighty God! (The Word of God) [5]

(Jer 5:14) Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

(Jer 23:29) Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

(Eph 6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(Heb 4:12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(Rom 1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

C. This authority, this power, lasts forever.

(Psa 119:89) For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

(Isa 40:8) The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

(1 Pet 1:25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

D. We have everything we need while waiting for His return.

QUESTION - What, then, should occupy a prominent place in our lives as we await our Lord's return?

ANSWER - God's Word - understanding it, loving it, living it.

II. The Task. V34b

"… and to every man his work…"

QUESTION - What is "His work?"

QUESTION - To whom is "his work" assigned? Is there a select group to whom "his work" is assigned?"

ANSWER - cf. Eph 4:11-13

QUESTION - Is this significant to us, personally? How?

QUESTION - What happens if "his work" is not completed?

A. Some might say that lack of completing this task holds up the return of Christ!

(Mat 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

(Mark 13:10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

1. What would it be like to win the last one?

2. What if that person we are negligent in witnessing to is the last one?

B. The task is not optional. "… MUST be published…" (vs. 10)

1. Witnessing is the business of the church.

QUESTION - Do we agree with this statement?

(Mat 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(Mark 16:15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

(Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

2. Witnessing is the most important business of the church.

QUESTION - Do you agree with the above statement? If so, what ramifications does it have for this church?

QUESTION - What are some activities that the local church involves itself in today? How do they fare in light of this statement?

QUESTION - What should we as a local church do to ensure we are in agreement with Jesus Christ on this issue?

3. Witnessing is the business of every member of the church.

QUESTION - Do you agree with the above statement? If so, what ramifications does it have for you as an individual?

QUESTION - What are some activities that we as individuals get involved in today? How do these activities fare in light of this statement?

QUESTION - What should we as believers do to ensure we are in agreement with Jesus Christ on this issue?

C. The task is international.

(Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

QUESTION - What can we, as individual believers, do to ensure our witness is local and global at the same time?

III. The Warning. v34c

"… and commanded the porter to watch…"

'to watch' = to keep awake

QUESTION - What are we supposed to be alert toward? Jesus said to 'Take heed' or to 'watch out' four times in this chapter.

A. "…Lest any man deceive you." v5

B. "…To yourselves: " v9

C. "…I have foretold you all things." v23

D. " …For ye know not when the time is." v33

QUESTION - What are the consequences of not heeding His warning?

(Jer 8:20) The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

(John 9:4) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

IV. The Imminence.

"… coming suddenly…" vs. 36

QUESTION - What "coming" is referred to here? (not the rapture)

The signs mentioned in this chapter refer to Christ's Second Coming in power and glory (vs. 26)

QUESTION - What is He waiting for? What still has to happen before He can return?

A. Nothing hinders Jesus' return!

ILLUS. The book "88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1988" was foolish and misguided, but it reminded many of this truth. Many lost people were genuinely concerned about it!

Read: 1 Thess. 4:13-18

B. Jesus could come TODAY!

C. Many pray that He will!

(Rev 22:20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Jesus mentions four things you would do well to remember as the end approaches:

1. The AUTHORITY that He has placed with His people: The Word of God
2. The TASK that He has given His people: To Reach the World with the Gospel
3. The WARNING that He has left with His people: Be Alert and Watchful
4. The IMMINENCE of His return for His people: He Could Come Today