WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.940 Okay, now, it's true, isn't it, that there are areas of the Christian faith, there are elements of the Christian religion that we do not consider as we should in the 21st century church. 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:26.060 So there are areas of the Christian faith, elements of the Christian religion that we do not focus on perhaps as we should. 00:00:26.060 --> 00:00:29.100 Areas that we don't get due consideration and time. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.299 For example, if we focused on the predicament of the lost perhaps as we should, that would maybe tell in the way that we witnessed and our evangelistic zeal, wouldn't it? 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:51.439 Or if we focused on the holiness of God as we should, I think that would tell maybe in increase of more fervent repentance from sin. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:55.799 So there are areas that we don't focus on as we should. 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:03.799 But perhaps chief amongst these overlooked essentials is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:03.979 --> 00:01:04.579 Do you not agree? 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:14.039 I think it was said of the early church that they thought more about the Lord's return than they did about their own lives and their own death. 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:17.780 I wonder if that could be said for us in here. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:27.019 Isn't it true perhaps that Christ's return has maybe been pushed onto the back burner of the modern church, of the contemporary church? 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:37.819 Well in our short time this afternoon, what I hope we can do is just consider one or two elements about the return, the perusia, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:50.959 Before we do that, before we get to the text, I think maybe we've got to say one or two things just about the different interpretations that people might have of Mark chapter 13. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:59.319 Because it's certainly the case that some people, some scholars, they see that what Jesus is doing in Mark 13, 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:06.939 is he is actually thinking only about the fall of Jerusalem in AD 17. 00:02:07.119 --> 00:02:08.699 Now do you see where they're getting? 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:09.919 Do you see their point? 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:15.219 They're saying that when Jesus in this chapter, when he talks about increased persecution in the church, 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:17.699 when he talks about apostasy and things like that, 00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:23.019 that really all he's got in mind is the time leading up to the fall of the temple in the first century. 00:02:23.019 --> 00:02:28.199 So you've got that quite significant understanding of Mark 13. 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:28.959 So you've got that. 00:02:29.859 --> 00:02:31.439 You've also got something else. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:37.539 Because quite a few people think Mark 13 is just really, what we say, higgledy, piggledy. 00:02:38.139 --> 00:02:40.439 That's what my mum would say anyway, higgledy, piggledy. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:42.919 A bit over, all over the place. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:43.959 A bit disjointed. 00:02:44.799 --> 00:02:47.159 So they will see that what Jesus is doing. 00:02:47.239 --> 00:02:49.679 Yes, in some places he's talking about the fall of the temple. 00:02:50.179 --> 00:02:50.659 Maybe something. 00:02:50.919 --> 00:02:54.000 In other parts he is talking about his return. 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:57.819 And their interpretation is he's just jumping from one thing to the other. 00:02:57.819 --> 00:02:59.120 He's just all over the place. 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:03.479 There's no sort of coherent kind of thinking or coherent thought going on. 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:05.519 So that's another interpretation. 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:12.319 Now, to be honest with you, I don't think either of those interpretations does justice to Mark 13. 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:18.959 What I think is happening here is that really our Lord has both of those things. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:19.479 Few. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:21.379 Do you see what I'm saying? 00:03:22.359 --> 00:03:27.659 That yes, at this moment he is preparing his disciples for the coming fall of Jerusalem. 00:03:28.079 --> 00:03:29.319 Do you know what else he's doing? 00:03:30.379 --> 00:03:37.219 He's using that event, the fall of the temple, really as a symbol or a kind of paradigm of the end of the age. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:41.139 And when we've been looking at this in our congregation in the centre of London, 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:45.519 I think I've said the same thing at every single service, in every single sermon. 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:52.939 But really here in front of you what Jesus is doing is he's looking through that fall of the temple, fall of Jerusalem, 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:56.219 and he's looking through it to the time where he will return. 00:03:56.899 --> 00:03:58.979 Return on the clouds. 00:03:58.979 --> 00:04:04.519 And as we look at this very short section from verse 28 onwards just now, 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:08.659 I think what we'll see from our Lord, what we'll learn from our Lord, 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:12.199 are two important lessons about the second coming. 00:04:12.299 --> 00:04:16.379 So it's not, I remember going to a meeting like this once in Edinburgh, 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:20.860 and the guy stood up and he said, well, I'm going to be short, but I do want to cover 11 points. 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:25.199 So basically, it won't be like that, I promise you, I promise you. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:28.220 Two important lessons we learn from the Lord. 00:04:28.400 --> 00:04:36.199 But each of those points has a necessary required response from you and from me. 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:38.480 So what do we have? 00:04:38.520 --> 00:04:40.379 What's the first lesson we've got here? 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:48.520 Well, first of all, I think we learn from verse 28 onwards that the return of Christ is imminent. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:50.500 Okay, you got it? 00:04:50.599 --> 00:04:54.479 The return of Christ, the return of our Lord is imminent. 00:04:56.299 --> 00:04:59.259 Now we know, don't we as Christians, that in Scripture, 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:04.079 our God loves to teach us using nature. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:06.240 Isn't that the case throughout the Bible? 00:05:06.359 --> 00:05:10.000 He uses, very often our Lord uses natural, nature metaphors, 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:11.519 metaphors taken from nature. 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:13.939 I'm sure you could cite some examples of that, couldn't you? 00:05:14.419 --> 00:05:16.079 Let's go for the salt of the earth, 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:20.639 or maybe of when Israel is spoken of as a vineyard. 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:23.599 You see the idea, nature being prominent. 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:25.719 Now you'll see that that is how Jesus begins. 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:27.939 If you look at your Bible in verse 28, 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:31.259 he tells you and I to learn from, 00:05:31.919 --> 00:05:32.659 do you see what it is? 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:33.919 It's a fig tree. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:39.339 I don't know how familiar you are friends with fig trees. 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:43.319 My wife and I, we've got a fig tree just a couple of doors down. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:45.500 One of our neighbours has one, 00:05:45.539 --> 00:05:47.219 so it kind of makes a little bit of sense to me. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:50.919 But even if you have never even in your entire life seen a fig tree, 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:53.399 the message here is not difficult. 00:05:54.659 --> 00:05:55.359 So you understand this, 00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:56.500 that in the Middle East, 00:05:57.679 --> 00:05:59.859 the fig tree was very, very unusual 00:05:59.859 --> 00:06:02.879 in how it bore fruit and bore leaves. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.699 A lot of the trees in the Middle East, 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:06.920 they begin to bud in early spring. 00:06:08.219 --> 00:06:09.779 Others in the Middle East, of course, 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:11.740 were evergreen trees. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:13.860 There's the fig trees, they're thin. 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:15.620 You see, it's different entirely 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:16.399 because the fig tree, 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:22.740 they begin to bud just before the summer arrived. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:24.800 Just as the summer was on the horizon. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:25.899 Now you see, do you, 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:28.240 that's what Jesus sent us here. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:31.439 He's saying just as people can look at a fig tree, 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:32.639 they look at it and they say, 00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:35.639 yes, we can know for sure that summer is at hand. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:37.459 Jesus, he is saying, 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:38.939 if you look at the world, 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:42.800 and if you see the signs that he's mentioned 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:44.300 in this portion of scripture, 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:45.639 if you see in the world, 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:48.079 increased persecution, apostasy, 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:48.659 what do we know? 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:49.240 What do we know? 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:50.939 We know that the summer, 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:52.899 we know that one great event 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:54.420 is on the horizon, 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:55.379 it is at hand. 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:58.600 Now, what is the obvious question 00:06:58.600 --> 00:06:59.779 we've got to answer then? 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:01.500 If Jesus is saying, 00:07:01.599 --> 00:07:02.619 if you see this in the world, 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:03.419 there's one great event. 00:07:03.479 --> 00:07:05.399 What's the obvious question we've got to answer? 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:08.039 What is this great event he's talking about here? 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:10.919 Well, I think, to be honest with you, 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:13.439 primarily Jesus is talking about 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:14.399 the fall of Jerusalem. 00:07:15.099 --> 00:07:16.079 If you've got your Bible, 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.539 if you look at verse 30, 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:19.219 see what he says. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:21.319 He says, 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:22.639 he looks at the disciples, 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:23.899 they're sitting in the night of all this, 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:25.199 and he says to them, 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.699 this generation. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:28.800 Do you see that? 00:07:29.159 --> 00:07:32.019 This generation will not pass away 00:07:32.019 --> 00:07:34.219 until all of these things have happened. 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:35.420 So I think primarily, 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:38.019 he is talking about the fall of the temple. 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:39.199 But hang on a second. 00:07:40.099 --> 00:07:41.279 What did we just say? 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:43.139 We said that in this chapter, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:45.939 Jesus very often is looking beyond the immediate. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:48.519 So I think this is also what Jesus is saying. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:49.379 He's speaking to us. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:50.659 He's saying, 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:52.139 this generation, 00:07:52.279 --> 00:07:53.519 the one in which we inhabit, 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:55.139 this present age, 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:57.300 these last days, 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:59.000 they will not pass away 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:01.319 until we see some of these things happen. 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:02.759 All of these things happen. 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:05.259 And when we understand that, 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:07.120 I wonder if we all in here just now 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:09.480 hear the message from God. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:12.139 I think it's just four words. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.379 I think he's saying to us, 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:16.860 the end is nigh. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.259 Simply, I think that is it. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.540 But let's be frank about things. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:23.839 That since you and I live in the last days, 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.079 do you know what's true for us? 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:26.860 The end, 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:30.079 the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:32.840 it's always nigh. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:34.320 Do you understand? 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:36.080 The return for us in the last days, 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:37.939 the return of Christ is always nigh, 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:39.220 always imminent. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:43.919 Now, let me pose to you a question. 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:47.319 How else, as Christians, 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:50.379 do we know that Christ's return 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:51.500 is at hand? 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:54.559 Isn't it true that we know 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:55.799 that that is the case 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:57.479 because Christ's return 00:08:57.479 --> 00:08:59.679 is just one part 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.379 of a greater 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:04.120 redemptive event? 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:05.919 Isn't that the case? 00:09:05.979 --> 00:09:07.240 I mean, how much do you think about 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:07.980 Christ's return? 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:09.879 Do you think of it 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:11.519 as a sort of separate entity? 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:12.879 Do you think about it 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.700 as a separate event? 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:15.779 It's not like that. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.600 Do you see that it is one part 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:20.320 of a greater redemptive act 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:21.539 of God that includes 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:22.360 Jesus' life 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.800 and his death 00:09:23.800 --> 00:09:25.039 and his resurrection? 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:26.120 It's a sin. 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.960 It is one part of a whole. 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:30.620 In fact, let me try 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:31.780 and explain it like this. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:34.420 For years in this country, 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:36.740 if you were in school 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:38.240 and in a science class, 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:40.000 invariably you would be given 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:42.460 the same scientific experiment to do. 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:44.200 So perhaps if you were educated 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:45.620 in the United Kingdom, 00:09:45.780 --> 00:09:46.800 perhaps it is the case 00:09:46.800 --> 00:09:47.340 that you've done 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:50.240 this very science experiment. 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:51.280 And if you're a scientist, 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:52.920 you will have to excuse 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:55.120 if the details are a little bit rough. 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:56.660 But what happens 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:57.659 is that you would take 00:09:57.659 --> 00:09:59.519 hydrogen peroxide 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:00.399 like it is. 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:01.899 Do you remember this? 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.879 And you would add it 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:06.279 to a black solution 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:08.419 and the solution was 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:10.000 iodine and starch. 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:12.240 Now if you do that, 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:13.159 hydrogen peroxide 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:13.860 to iodine and starch, 00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:14.399 what happens? 00:10:15.579 --> 00:10:16.079 What happens? 00:10:16.199 --> 00:10:17.819 Not very much happens. 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:20.699 There's this strange 00:10:20.699 --> 00:10:21.559 kind of delay. 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:24.079 You add it to the solution 00:10:24.079 --> 00:10:26.299 and you have to wait a while 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:27.799 to look at the beacon 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:29.620 and wait before eventually, 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:30.899 immediately, 00:10:31.079 --> 00:10:32.759 because of the chemicals involved, 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:34.120 that black solution 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:35.379 all of a sudden 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:37.240 turns bright blue. 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:38.740 And you see, 00:10:38.859 --> 00:10:39.699 that's what we are 00:10:39.699 --> 00:10:40.859 dealing with here. 00:10:40.979 --> 00:10:41.559 Do you understand? 00:10:41.839 --> 00:10:43.219 That because Christ's 00:10:43.219 --> 00:10:44.779 resurrection and ascension 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:46.339 has been added 00:10:46.339 --> 00:10:47.859 to his perfect life, 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:48.519 his righteousness, 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.519 and his death, 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:50.979 what's happening today? 00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:52.919 Like, spiritually speaking, 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:54.000 what are we doing as Christians? 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:54.879 Do you see what we're doing? 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:57.100 We're staring at the beaker. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:58.439 Do you see, 00:10:58.519 --> 00:10:59.379 we're waiting. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:01.240 There's this delay. 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:02.200 We're waiting 00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:04.340 before the inevitable happens 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:05.539 that Christ Jesus 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:07.340 returns to this earth. 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:07.779 Do you see? 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:09.120 Christ Jesus, 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.179 his return is 00:11:10.179 --> 00:11:11.480 always imminent. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.539 It's always imminent 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:13.080 for you 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:14.059 and for me. 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:15.460 So, 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:15.980 tell you what, 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:16.419 let me 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:18.240 bring this 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:19.340 to your door 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:20.120 just now. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.139 Let me ask you 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:21.779 what sounds like 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.539 a really 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:24.139 wishy, 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.360 washy question, 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:26.459 but it's not. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.139 But I say to you 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.279 that Christ's return 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:30.779 is near. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.659 And I say to you 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:34.100 that the Lord Jesus Christ 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:34.819 could return 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:36.939 this year. 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.419 As a Christian, 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:42.100 how do you feel 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.519 about that? 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:45.419 That Christ 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:46.139 could return 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:46.519 this year. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.559 Is there a sense, 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.059 perhaps, 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:49.120 of anxiety 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:50.079 a little bit 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.620 with that? 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:52.440 Do you wonder 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:53.620 about your service, 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:54.660 your work, 00:11:54.780 --> 00:11:55.400 in the church? 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:56.060 Is there, 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:56.480 perhaps, 00:11:56.540 --> 00:11:57.580 even a sense 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:58.480 of fear, 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:58.900 maybe, 00:11:59.040 --> 00:11:59.759 that builds up? 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:00.759 So, 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:01.639 if you're a Christian, 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.440 you need not fear 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.580 because did you notice 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:06.540 what Jesus says here 00:12:06.540 --> 00:12:07.680 to calm your nerves 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:08.360 and calm your heart? 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:08.960 Have a look at 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:10.100 his verse 31. 00:12:11.020 --> 00:12:11.639 What he says, 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.020 he says, 00:12:12.280 --> 00:12:13.100 the end is coming. 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:13.960 It's for sure. 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:14.200 He says, 00:12:14.280 --> 00:12:15.180 the heavens and the earth 00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:15.960 are going to pass away. 00:12:16.040 --> 00:12:17.000 But what does he say to you? 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.879 He says that his word 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.360 is not going to pass away. 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:21.500 You see what that is? 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.539 That there, 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:24.899 that's your security. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.080 The fig tree 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:28.399 might begin to bud. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:29.740 Summer 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:31.340 might be at hand. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.000 What do you know? 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:33.740 What do I know? 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.620 We know that the gospel, 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:37.100 we know that the word of God, 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.879 we know that the incarnate 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:39.679 word of God 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.939 will endure. 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.620 We know that Christ, 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.539 our friends, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:45.620 all who are in him, 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:48.080 we are going to outlive 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:49.179 this present age. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:49.840 Isn't that, 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.080 isn't that encouragement? 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:53.419 Isn't that a beautiful thing 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:55.060 that there might well be 00:12:55.060 --> 00:12:56.360 a nearness 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.879 to the Prusia? 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.620 There is. 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:00.960 But on that final day 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.980 if you're in Christ Jesus, 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.500 there's going to find, 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.620 you're going to find refuge 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.259 under the protective wings 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:09.200 of your God. 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:11.920 So you see here 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:12.879 that the return 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.259 of Jesus 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:16.340 is at hand 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:16.920 and is imminent. 00:13:18.400 --> 00:13:19.379 Now the second thing, 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.240 he said two things, 00:13:20.280 --> 00:13:21.000 and the second thing 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.000 we also see here 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.820 is that the timing 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:26.720 of the return of Christ, 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:28.620 the timing of it 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.379 is unknown. 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:34.340 I don't know 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.420 where you are 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:36.259 with scripture, 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:36.780 I don't know 00:13:36.780 --> 00:13:37.800 where you sit 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:38.360 theologically, 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:39.159 you know, 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.000 if there was, 00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:41.100 if there is, 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:42.220 or was with you 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.120 any doubt 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:44.440 that Christ 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:45.600 in Mark 13 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.399 is thinking 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.180 of his return, 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:48.960 I think that doubt 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:50.139 has to evaporate, 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:51.200 it has to be eradicated 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:51.879 by what Jesus 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:52.539 goes on to say 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.060 in that kind of 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:53.779 new section. 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.300 You see what he says 00:13:55.300 --> 00:13:56.779 in verse 32, 00:13:58.940 --> 00:14:00.240 he speaks of 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:02.620 that day. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:03.740 It might seem 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.440 like an ordinary 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.180 phrase to us, 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:05.800 but actually 00:14:05.800 --> 00:14:07.100 it's a technical phrase 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:08.639 that the prophets 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.440 would use 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.240 in Old Testament 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.800 scripture, 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.580 that day 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:12.460 was a technical phrase 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.200 to speak of 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.019 the day of the Lord, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.820 the coming 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:16.220 of the Lord. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:16.840 So what do we know? 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.820 We know for sure 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:19.320 Christ is thinking 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.340 of the end of the age. 00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:22.360 I wonder 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:23.320 when 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:25.740 Paul read 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:27.100 this out earlier on, 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.600 did you 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:29.019 notice 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:30.700 the main theme 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:32.540 of this second section 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:32.920 here? 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.059 let me 00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:35.079 spell it out 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:35.879 and underline it. 00:14:36.219 --> 00:14:36.679 It is, 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:36.979 friends, 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:38.379 the hiddenness 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:40.299 of the timing 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:41.319 of Christ's return. 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.019 Or maybe 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:42.679 you would allow 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:43.240 this. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.039 The main theme 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:45.959 here is the 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:47.959 unknowability 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:49.039 of exactly 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:50.159 when it is 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.419 that our Lord 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.000 and Saviour 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.959 is going to return. 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:53.639 Because we get 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.219 verse 32, 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:54.899 what does he say? 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.779 He says it 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.500 simply as 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.519 it is possible. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:57.939 He says, 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:59.219 no one knows. 00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:01.299 And that's 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.500 something he repeats. 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.639 No one knows. 00:15:03.719 --> 00:15:04.240 No one knows. 00:15:04.319 --> 00:15:04.759 It's something 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.939 that he extends out 00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:06.479 because he says, 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.599 no one knows. 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.219 Look what he says. 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:08.579 He says, 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:09.559 no one knows. 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.819 The disciples don't know. 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:11.899 And he says, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.339 the angels don't know. 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:14.939 Now, 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.000 I've come along 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.799 as Paul kindly 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.459 invited me 00:15:17.459 --> 00:15:18.419 to come along here. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.179 I wasn't sure 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:20.919 really what 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:22.039 was going to happen. 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.120 But I'm delighted 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.679 to be here. 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:24.599 And I can say 00:15:24.599 --> 00:15:25.259 you look like 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:27.259 a well-read 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:27.959 and alert 00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:28.659 and attentive 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:30.000 group of people. 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:30.639 So I'm sure 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.179 of this. 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.759 As Paul read it out, 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:34.279 I'm sure 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.079 that you saw 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:36.639 that in front of us 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.000 just now 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.679 we have one 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.479 of the most 00:15:38.479 --> 00:15:40.879 arresting, 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.620 startling truths 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:45.139 in all of the Bible. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.219 Did you see it? 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:46.799 Look, 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:48.539 verse 32. 00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:50.139 Who does Jesus 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.259 add to the mix? 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:52.459 He says, 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.399 no one knows 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:54.719 when he sets 00:15:54.719 --> 00:15:55.339 a return. 00:15:55.959 --> 00:15:56.219 He says, 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.359 the disciples don't know. 00:15:57.819 --> 00:15:58.099 He says, 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:59.159 the angels don't know. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.240 Look who does that? 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.820 He sits 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.220 in the mouth 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.340 of all of the disciples 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:03.879 and he says, 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:05.980 and I, 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:07.720 I don't know. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.320 Isn't that a nice thing? 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:10.879 Isn't it quite a 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.940 startling thing? 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.200 You know, 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:13.519 this is the Lord Jesus 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.279 we're dealing with 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:14.680 and he's saying, 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.340 I don't know 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.060 the age of the age, 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:16.379 I don't know 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.279 the time scale 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:19.259 or the timing of it all. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.320 I do think 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.879 that could be 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.600 confusing for us. 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.799 So let's deal 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.539 with just a couple 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.039 of things here. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.700 First of all, 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:29.320 let's ask him, 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.420 if Jesus Christ 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.220 doesn't know 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:32.120 the time of the 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.440 end of the earth, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.060 can we truly 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.340 regard him as God? 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:38.379 Can we? 00:16:39.420 --> 00:16:39.640 Like, 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.600 you see the question 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:40.960 in fact, 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:41.220 you know, 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.000 is it not the same 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.700 question that 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:44.540 the church was 00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.280 embroiled in 00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:45.940 and the Aryan 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.580 controversy 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.600 in the fourth century? 00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:48.560 You know, 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.400 people were saying, 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:49.980 they were pointing 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.720 to this verse, 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:51.640 they were saying, 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.240 Jesus says, 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.120 I don't know 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.120 when I'm set to return, 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:54.680 I don't know 00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.460 the end of the age. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.460 So people were saying, 00:16:56.780 --> 00:16:57.740 can he be defined? 00:16:58.820 --> 00:16:59.040 I mean, 00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.759 does this here 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.379 not suggest 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.420 that he is beneath God? 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.340 Does this not suggest 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.700 that he is subordinate 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:04.160 to God? 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.960 How would you answer that? 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.779 I'll tell you this, 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:08.600 I love the way 00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:09.640 that we can answer that. 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.440 Oh, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.380 do all we need to do? 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:12.759 All we need to do 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.579 is point back 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.819 to the very last 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.579 thing he said. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:16.900 What did he say? 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.380 Heaven 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.980 and earth 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.819 are going to pass away. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.100 My words are not 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:23.620 going to pass away. 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:25.459 Now what would every single Jew 00:17:25.459 --> 00:17:26.159 have known? 00:17:27.439 --> 00:17:28.039 They would have known 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.119 that that was an implied 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.159 claim of divinity. 00:17:30.979 --> 00:17:31.439 They would have known 00:17:31.439 --> 00:17:32.179 that phrase. 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.699 Heaven and earth 00:17:32.699 --> 00:17:33.179 can pass away 00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:33.719 my words 00:17:33.719 --> 00:17:34.199 and not pass away. 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.659 They would have known 00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:35.299 that was Jesus 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.079 claiming it to be God. 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:37.039 Because what did 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.079 every Jew know? 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.659 What did they know? 00:17:40.479 --> 00:17:40.899 They knew 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:42.619 that only God's word 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.139 endured. 00:17:43.899 --> 00:17:44.139 Friends, 00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:45.219 you know Isaiah 40 00:17:45.219 --> 00:17:45.799 verse 8, 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.159 don't you? 00:17:46.959 --> 00:17:48.259 The grass withers 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:50.339 and the flowers fall. 00:17:50.439 --> 00:17:51.439 But how do you go on? 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:53.880 But the word of our God 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.120 stands for everything. 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:56.160 Do you see it? 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:58.240 And whatever this lack 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.460 of knowledge about the end 00:17:59.460 --> 00:17:59.980 tells us, 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.680 it does not tell us 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.660 that Jesus was worse 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.140 than God, 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.480 does it? 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.360 He has just claimed 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.840 full, 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.759 perfect divinity 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.559 in the previous phase. 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.440 But that then leads on 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.920 to the second issue. 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.120 Friends, 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.039 aren't you asking 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.500 why is it 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.319 that Jesus 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.000 doesn't know? 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:20.940 Aren't you asking 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.859 that when you read this? 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.659 Why is the timing, 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.379 the knowledge 00:18:24.379 --> 00:18:25.159 of the timing 00:18:25.159 --> 00:18:25.819 of the end 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:26.379 of the earth, 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.019 why is it 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.279 the preserve 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.440 of the Father? 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.440 Why does the Son 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.180 not know? 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.059 And I think, 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:35.920 honestly friends, 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.159 the answer to that, 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.379 I should send you 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.379 and me just now 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:41.799 to our knees 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:45.220 wonderment, 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:45.659 maybe, 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:47.240 certainly worship 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.220 because I think 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.940 in that lack 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.599 of knowledge, 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.440 see the extent 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.299 of what Jesus 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.019 Christ has done 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.419 for you. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:56.240 How do you think 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.379 about your salvation? 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.159 What do you think 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:58.960 about the atonement? 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:00.799 Do you think 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.039 God has just done 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.259 a little thing, 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.220 there's nothing 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.879 to God, 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.359 this great redemptive 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:06.619 work. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.000 Do you think 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.919 Christ has done 00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:09.180 just a small thing 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.839 for you? 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.839 See there, 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.659 come on. 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.039 See there, 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:13.700 the extent 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.460 of the incarnation, 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.539 the magnitude 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.379 of the self-entering, 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.299 consider this, 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.319 that to win 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.680 your soul, 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.659 Christ has 00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.599 dressed himself 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:25.619 in ignorance. 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.079 Isn't that 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.099 what you've got here? 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.119 That in order 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.240 to become 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.220 a sufficient 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.099 sacrifice 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.299 for human sin, 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.119 what has Jesus 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.700 done? 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.299 Do you see 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.819 what he's done? 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.180 He has added 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:39.419 to his divine 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:39.960 knowledge, 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.480 what? 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:42.360 human 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:44.720 unenlightenment. 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.259 Isn't that 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.500 a stunning thing? 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.720 The son 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:50.980 knew not 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.779 the time 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.920 of his own 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.620 return and 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:53.980 why? 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.960 It was all 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:57.220 for you. 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.380 It was all 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:58.940 to win 00:19:58.940 --> 00:20:00.120 your soul 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:01.339 from hell. 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:03.399 Now, 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.659 what did I say? 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.259 At the start, 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.079 I said that there 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.439 would be two 00:20:06.439 --> 00:20:07.459 points and 00:20:07.459 --> 00:20:09.159 two required 00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:09.619 responses. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.220 We've seen the 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:10.919 first required 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:11.359 response. 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.319 We are surely 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.000 to rejoice. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.160 Christ. 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.039 What's the second 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.319 required response? 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.259 We don't know 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:17.799 when Christ 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.299 is returning. 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:18.980 We know it's 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.140 near. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.519 We don't know 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:19.880 what's the 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.480 required response. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.640 Thankfully, 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.339 praise God, 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.099 Jesus makes it 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.539 so clear. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:23.920 In fact, 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.539 I think I can 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.200 say this to you. 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:26.819 I honestly 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.359 think in his 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.619 word, 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.680 God is shouting 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.400 the required 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.519 response at 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:31.680 you. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.119 He is 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:33.480 screaming it 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.660 at you today. 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.059 Look at 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.039 verse 33 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.940 to see it. 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.319 What does 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.859 Jesus say? 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.500 He says, 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.920 you don't 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.339 know when I'm 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:41.920 coming back, 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.500 so be on 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.319 your guard. 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.720 And friend, 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.180 do you understand 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.019 what I mean by 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:48.000 God shouting 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.660 it at you? 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.980 Understand that 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:52.299 five times in 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.740 that little 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.240 section, 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.140 Jesus repeats 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.759 the same thing. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:56.119 Five times. 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.440 He says, 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.319 be on your 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:57.619 guard, 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.460 stay awake, 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.200 be alert. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.400 Then right at 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.839 the end, 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.460 do you notice? 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.319 He extends 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.579 out. 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:03.880 He says, 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:05.460 everyone stay 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.000 alert, 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.740 stay awake. 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:07.680 Then he even 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.220 gives us a 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.680 parable. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.820 He compares 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:11.580 you to a 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.759 doorkeeper who 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.460 has to watch 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.960 out for his 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.640 master's return. 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:15.500 I'm asking 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:15.799 you, 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:17.900 do you hear 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.480 the message 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.240 that God is 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.860 screaming at 00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.400 us this 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:21.799 afternoon? 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:22.200 Do you hear 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.560 what it is? 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.759 We don't know 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.320 when Christ is 00:21:24.320 --> 00:21:24.940 set to return. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:25.680 We know 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.000 he's at 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.220 house, 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.580 so what do 00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:26.860 we do? 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.360 We've got 00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:29.019 to be ready. 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.080 That's it. 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.060 We've got to 00:21:32.060 --> 00:21:32.880 be waiting. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.320 We've got to 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:34.200 be prepared 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.960 for this. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.259 So, 00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:36.880 I'll end 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.180 with two 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.880 questions and 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.220 we're done. 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:40.019 first of 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.180 all, 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.640 if you're a 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:41.000 Christian 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.440 here, 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.240 are you 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:46.080 asleep? 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.440 Is that 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.160 an adequate 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.960 description 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.759 of your 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.740 spiritual life 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.240 just now? 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:55.560 Like, 00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:56.360 if you are 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:57.380 true to 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:57.820 yourself, 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.380 is it the 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:58.680 case that 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:58.940 you are 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.700 unenthused 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.400 about Jesus? 00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.580 Unenthused 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:02.980 about the 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.320 gospel? 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:03.799 Are you 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.620 uninvolved 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.060 in the 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:06.220 service of 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.039 Christ's 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.380 church? 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.259 Are you 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.819 spiritually 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.299 asleep? 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.200 You surely 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.579 see what 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.059 God is 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.319 saying. 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:12.539 He's 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:12.680 saying, 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.220 this is 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.620 an urgent 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:14.259 matter 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.839 here. 00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:16.279 Friends, 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.519 I call you, 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.559 I do not 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.039 know you, 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:19.720 but surely 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.460 you see here 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.420 the message, 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.059 we've got to 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.019 rise up out 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.539 of our 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:23.940 slumber. 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.259 And we 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.839 rise up to 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.299 prayer, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.740 we rise up 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.319 to service, 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.140 we rise up 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.620 to actually 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.620 telling these 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:31.220 few people on 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.660 the street 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:33.000 this wonderful 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.560 message of 00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:33.980 what Christ 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.279 has done 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.860 for us. 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.519 Because I 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.160 have to 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:38.240 warn you, 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.660 you and 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.000 I, 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.740 we don't 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.120 want to be 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.820 asleep when 00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:44.160 our Lord 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.660 returns. 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.880 And then 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.720 we close with 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.259 the second of 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.840 those questions, 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.580 and that's 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:50.060 maybe for 00:22:50.060 --> 00:22:50.380 you, 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.019 if you have 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.779 yet to bow 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.240 the knee to 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:53.500 the Lord 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.340 Jesus Christ. 00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:55.779 Friends, 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:56.120 if you are 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.759 yet to submit 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.120 to him, 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.500 here's the 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.019 question for 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.220 you. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.700 Are you 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.120 ready 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:03.279 for this 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.359 event? 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:05.959 You know, 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.299 I think, 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:06.739 as well as 00:23:06.739 --> 00:23:07.059 I do, 00:23:07.179 --> 00:23:08.139 that time, 00:23:08.739 --> 00:23:09.159 life, 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.779 opportunity is 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.179 short, 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.639 and Christ 00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.239 Jesus is 00:23:13.239 --> 00:23:14.039 coming back. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.299 So I am 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:15.659 asking, 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.539 are you 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.399 ready to 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:18.079 meet 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:20.579 God? 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:22.599 Friends, 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:22.979 if not, 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.579 surely maybe 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.439 today even 00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:24.879 is the time 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.239 where you 00:23:25.239 --> 00:23:25.919 waking up, 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:26.799 and you 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.279 waking up 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:27.659 to eternal 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:27.939 life, 00:23:27.979 --> 00:23:28.219 you maybe 00:23:28.219 --> 00:23:29.019 see in 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.739 scripture 00:23:29.739 --> 00:23:30.399 something of 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.519 what Christ 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:31.940 has done 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.300 for you, 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:32.820 something of 00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.420 his glory, 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:33.980 and even 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.440 today, 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.860 you turn 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:36.440 from your 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:36.800 sin, 00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:38.460 you repent, 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.060 and you 00:23:40.060 --> 00:23:41.400 believe in 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:41.840 the Lord 00:23:41.840 --> 00:23:42.620 of glory. 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:43.860 Friends, 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:44.259 when we 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.040 read Mark 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:45.759 chapter 13, 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.360 surely it's 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:46.800 the case that 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:47.420 actually for 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:47.980 all of us, 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.080 we all have 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.540 the same 00:23:49.540 --> 00:23:50.460 fervent prayer, 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:51.340 don't we? 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.340 What would 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:52.860 that be? 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:53.860 It would 00:23:53.860 --> 00:23:54.259 be, 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.759 Maranatha, 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.100 come, 00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:58.600 come, 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.439 Lord Jesus, 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.039 and come 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.799 quickly. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.480 Let's pray.